Interfaces to organize and share locations at a destination geolocation in a messaging system

ABSTRACT

The subject technology causes, at a client device, display of a graphical interface comprising a plurality of selectable graphical items, each selectable graphical item corresponding to a respective content item associated with a different geolocation. The subject technology receives, at the client device, a selection of a first selectable graphical item from the plurality of selectable graphical items, the first selectable graphical item corresponding to a particular geolocation. The subject technology causes display, at the client device, a second plurality of selectable graphical items, each of the second plurality of selectable graphical items corresponding to a particular second geolocation of an activity or place of business within a geographical area associated with the particular geolocation.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 63/085,984, filed Sep. 30, 2020, which is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

With the increased use of digital images, affordability of portablecomputing devices, availability of increased capacity of digital storagemedia, and increased bandwidth and accessibility of network connections,digital images have become a part of the daily life for an increasingnumber of people.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, themost significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to thefigure number in which that element is first introduced.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a networked environment inwhich the present disclosure may be deployed, in accordance with someexample embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a messaging clientapplication, in accordance with some example embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a data structure asmaintained in a database, in accordance with some example embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a message, in accordance withsome example embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for an access-limiting process, in accordance withsome example embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of the messageannotations, as described in FIG. 4, including additional informationcorresponding to a given message, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating various modules of an annotationsystem, according to certain example embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates examples of an augmented reality (AR) contentgenerator, and presenting AR content items generated by the AR contentgenerator in the messaging client application (or the messaging system).

FIG. 9 illustrates examples of an augmented reality (AR) contentgenerator, and presenting AR content items generated by an AR contentgenerator in the messaging client application (or the messaging system),according to some embodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates examples of an augmented reality (AR) contentgenerator, and presenting AR content items generated by an AR contentgenerator in the messaging client application (or the messaging system),according to some embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates examples of an augmented reality (AR) contentgenerator, and presenting AR content items generated by an AR contentgenerator in the messaging client application (or the messaging system),according to some embodiments.

FIG. 12 illustrates examples of an augmented reality (AR) contentgenerator, and presenting AR content items generated by the AR contentgenerator in the messaging client application (or the messaging system),according to some embodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates examples of user interfaces, and presenting contentitems generated by an AR content generator in the messaging clientapplication (or the messaging system), according to some embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method, according to certainexample embodiments.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method, according to certainexample embodiments.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method, according to certainexample embodiments.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method, according to certainexample embodiments.

FIG. 18 is block diagram showing a software architecture within whichthe present disclosure may be implemented, in accordance with someexample embodiments.

FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine, in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions may be executed forcausing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed, in accordance with some example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Users with a range of interests from various locations can capturedigital images of various subjects and make captured images available toothers via networks, such as the Internet. To enhance users' experienceswith digital images and provide various features, enabling computingdevices to perform image processing operations on various objects and/orfeatures captured in a wide range of changing conditions (e.g., changesin image scales, noises, lighting, movement, or geometric distortion)can be challenging and computationally intensive.

Augmented reality (AR) experiences can be provided in a messaging clientapplication (or the messaging system) as described in embodimentsherein. However, in some instances, such AR experiences are isolated toa single user experience in which AR content items are rendered fordisplay to a single client device corresponding to a single user. Thus,to increase activity and engagement with the messaging platform providedby the subject technology, the subject technology provides a shared (orgroup) experience in which AR content items are provided in conjunctionwith a group of users. More specifically, the subject technology enablesa shared group experience involving AR experiences in connection withtravel activity (e.g., destination geolocations, travel planning, travelactivities, and the like).

Thus, the subject technology is understood to advantageously providetechnical improvements in presenting AR content items in connection withone or more geolocations which can be different from a currentgeolocation of respective computing devices associated with a group ofusers. Such geolocations can be rendered for display using AR contentitems to enable interaction by the group of users, where eachinteraction by a given user can be observed by at least one other userfrom the group in a manner to facilitate a natural and intuitivepresentation of AR content (e.g., without lag and dropping frames due tographical bottlenecks and inefficient processing of AR content) andthereby increase a sense of presence in an environment including amixture of (real) physical items and AR content items.

In an example, the technical improvements also involve utilizing serveror remote computing resources to process and render AR content, while inyet another example, AR content can be rendered by a given computingdevice and then propagated to other computing devices for presentationutilizing a peer to peer network, local network, or short distancenetwork depending on the physical distance between each respectivedevice associated with the group of users. Through the combination andutilization of various techniques described herein, a latency ofdisplaying AR content items (e.g., a duration of time(s) for the ARcontent to be generated and subsequently rendered on the respectivedisplays of each device from the group of users) can be reduced, incomparison with other existing implementations, to provide a moreimmersive and compelling user experience.

As discussed further herein, the subject infrastructure supports thecreation and sharing of interactive media, referred to herein asmessages including 3D content or AR effects, throughout variouscomponents of a messaging system. In example embodiments describedherein, messages can enter the system from a live camera or via fromstorage (e.g., where messages including 3D content and/or AR effects arestored in memory or a database). The subject system supports motionsensor input, and loading of external effects and asset data.

As described herein, a message includes an interactive image. In anexample embodiment, a message is rendered using the subject system tovisualize the spatial detail/geometry of what the camera sees, inaddition to a traditional image texture. When a viewer interacts withthis message by moving the client device, the movement triggerscorresponding changes in the perspective the image and geometry arerendered at to the viewer.

As referred to herein, the phrase “augmented reality experience,”“augmented reality content item,” “augmented reality content generator”includes or refers to various image processing operations correspondingto an image modification, filter, Lenses, media overlay, transformation,and the like, as described further herein.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example messaging system 100 forexchanging data (e.g., messages and associated content) over a network.The messaging system 100 includes multiple instances of a client device102, each of which hosts a number of applications including a messagingclient application 104. Each messaging client application 104 iscommunicatively coupled to other instances of the messaging clientapplication 104 and a messaging server system 108 via a network 106(e.g., the Internet).

A messaging client application 104 is able to communicate and exchangedata with another messaging client application 104 and with themessaging server system 108 via the network 106. The data exchangedbetween messaging client application 104, and between a messaging clientapplication 104 and the messaging server system 108, includes functions(e.g., commands to invoke functions) as well as payload data (e.g.,text, audio, video or other multimedia data).

The messaging server system 108 provides server-side functionality viathe network 106 to a particular messaging client application 104. Whilecertain functions of the messaging system 100 are described herein asbeing performed by either a messaging client application 104 or by themessaging server system 108, the location of certain functionalityeither within the messaging client application 104 or the messagingserver system 108 is a design choice. For example, it may be technicallypreferable to initially deploy certain technology and functionalitywithin the messaging server system 108, but to later migrate thistechnology and functionality to the messaging client application 104where a client device 102 has a sufficient processing capacity.

The messaging server system 108 supports various services and operationsthat are provided to the messaging client application 104. Suchoperations include transmitting data to, receiving data from, andprocessing data generated by the messaging client application 104. Thisdata may include, message content, client device information,geolocation information, media annotation and overlays, message contentpersistence conditions, social network information, and live eventinformation, as examples. Data exchanges within the messaging system 100are invoked and controlled through functions available via userinterfaces (UIs) of the messaging client application 104.

Turning now specifically to the messaging server system 108, anApplication Program Interface (API) server 110 is coupled to, andprovides a programmatic interface to, an application server 112. Theapplication server 112 is communicatively coupled to a database server118, which facilitates access to a database 120 in which is stored dataassociated with messages processed by the application server 112.

The Application Program Interface (API) server 110 receives andtransmits message data (e.g., commands and message payloads) between theclient device 102 and the application server 112. Specifically, theApplication Program Interface (API) server 110 provides a set ofinterfaces (e.g., routines and protocols) that can be called or queriedby the messaging client application 104 in order to invoke functionalityof the application server 112. The Application Program Interface (API)server 110 exposes various functions supported by the application server112, including account registration, login functionality, the sending ofmessages, via the application server 112, from a particular messagingclient application 104 to another messaging client application 104, thesending of media files (e.g., images or video) from a messaging clientapplication 104 to the messaging server application 114, and forpossible access by another messaging client application 104, the settingof a collection of media data (e.g., story), the retrieval of a list offriends of a user of a client device 102, the retrieval of suchcollections, the retrieval of messages and content, the adding anddeletion of friends to a social graph, the location of friends within asocial graph, and opening an application event (e.g., relating to themessaging client application 104).

The application server 112 hosts a number of applications andsubsystems, including a messaging server application 114, an imageprocessing system 116 and a social network system 122. The messagingserver application 114 implements a number of message processingtechnologies and functions, particularly related to the aggregation andother processing of content (e.g., textual and multimedia content)included in messages received from multiple instances of the messagingclient application 104. As will be described in further detail, the textand media content from multiple sources may be aggregated intocollections of content (e.g., called stories or galleries). Thesecollections are then made available, by the messaging server application114, to the messaging client application 104. Other processor and memoryintensive processing of data may also be performed server-side by themessaging server application 114, in view of the hardware requirementsfor such processing.

The application server 112 also includes an image processing system 116that is dedicated to performing various image processing operations,typically with respect to images or video received within the payload ofa message at the messaging server application 114.

The social network system 122 supports various social networkingfunctions services, and makes these functions and services available tothe messaging server application 114. To this end, the social networksystem 122 maintains and accesses an entity graph 304 (as shown in FIG.3) within the database 120. Examples of functions and services supportedby the social network system 122 include the identification of otherusers of the messaging system 100 with which a particular user hasrelationships or is ‘following’, and also the identification of otherentities and interests of a particular user.

The application server 112 is communicatively coupled to a databaseserver 118, which facilitates access to a database 120 in which isstored data associated with messages processed by the messaging serverapplication 114.

FIG. 2 is block diagram illustrating further details regarding themessaging system 100, according to example embodiments. Specifically,the messaging system 100 is shown to comprise the messaging clientapplication 104 and the application server 112, which in turn embody anumber of some subsystems, namely an ephemeral timer system 202, acollection management system 204 and an annotation system 206.

The ephemeral timer system 202 is responsible for enforcing thetemporary access to content permitted by the messaging clientapplication 104 and the messaging server application 114. To this end,the ephemeral timer system 202 incorporates a number of timers that,based on duration and display parameters associated with a message, orcollection of messages (e.g., a story), selectively display and enableaccess to messages and associated content via the messaging clientapplication 104. Further details regarding the operation of theephemeral timer system 202 are provided below.

The collection management system 204 is responsible for managingcollections of media (e.g., collections of text, image video and audiodata). In some examples, a collection of content (e.g., messages,including images, video, text and audio) may be organized into an ‘eventgallery’ or an ‘event story.’ Such a collection may be made availablefor a specified time period, such as the duration of an event to whichthe content relates. For example, content relating to a music concertmay be made available as a ‘story’ for the duration of that musicconcert. The collection management system 204 may also be responsiblefor publishing an icon that provides notification of the existence of aparticular collection to the user interface of the messaging clientapplication 104.

The collection management system 204 furthermore includes a curationinterface 208 that allows a collection manager to manage and curate aparticular collection of content. For example, the curation interface208 enables an event organizer to curate a collection of contentrelating to a specific event (e.g., delete inappropriate content orredundant messages). Additionally, the collection management system 204employs machine vision (or image recognition technology) and contentrules to automatically curate a content collection. In certainembodiments, compensation may be paid to a user for inclusion ofuser-generated content into a collection. In such cases, the curationinterface 208 operates to automatically make payments to such users forthe use of their content.

The annotation system 206 provides various functions that enable a userto annotate or otherwise modify or edit media content associated with amessage. For example, the annotation system 206 provides functionsrelated to the generation and publishing of media overlays for messagesprocessed by the messaging system 100. The annotation system 206operatively supplies a media overlay or supplementation (e.g., an imagefilter) to the messaging client application 104 based on a geolocationof the client device 102. In another example, the annotation system 206operatively supplies a media overlay to the messaging client application104 based on other information, such as social network information ofthe user of the client device 102. A media overlay may include audio andvisual content and visual effects. Examples of audio and visual contentinclude pictures, texts, logos, animations, and sound effects. Anexample of a visual effect includes color overlaying. The audio andvisual content or the visual effects can be applied to a media contentitem (e.g., a photo) at the client device 102. For example, the mediaoverlay may include text that can be overlaid on top of a photographtaken by the client device 102. In another example, the media overlayincludes an identification of a location overlay (e.g., Venice beach), aname of a live event, or a name of a merchant overlay (e.g., BeachCoffee House). In another example, the annotation system 206 uses thegeolocation of the client device 102 to identify a media overlay thatincludes the name of a merchant at the geolocation of the client device102. The media overlay may include other indicia associated with themerchant. The media overlays may be stored in the database 120 andaccessed through the database server 118.

In one example embodiment, the annotation system 206 provides auser-based publication platform that enables users to select ageolocation on a map, and upload content associated with the selectedgeolocation. The user may also specify circumstances under which aparticular media overlay should be offered to other users. Theannotation system 206 generates a media overlay that includes theuploaded content and associates the uploaded content with the selectedgeolocation.

In another example embodiment, the annotation system 206 provides amerchant-based publication platform that enables merchants to select aparticular media overlay associated with a geolocation via a biddingprocess. For example, the annotation system 206 associates the mediaoverlay of a highest bidding merchant with a corresponding geolocationfor a predefined amount of time.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating data structures 300 which maybe stored in the database 120 of the messaging server system 108,according to certain example embodiments. While the content of thedatabase 120 is shown to comprise a number of tables, it will beappreciated that the data could be stored in other types of datastructures (e.g., as an object-oriented database).

The database 120 includes message data stored within a message table314. The entity table 302 stores entity data, including an entity graph304. Entities for which records are maintained within the entity table302 may include individuals, corporate entities, organizations, objects,places, events, etc. Regardless of type, any entity regarding which themessaging server system 108 stores data may be a recognized entity. Eachentity is provided with a unique identifier, as well as an entity typeidentifier (not shown).

The entity graph 304 furthermore stores information regardingrelationships and associations between entities. Such relationships maybe social, professional (e.g., work at a common corporation ororganization) interested-based or activity-based, merely for example.

The database 120 also stores annotation data, in the example form offilters, in an annotation table 312. Filters for which data is storedwithin the annotation table 312 are associated with and applied tovideos (for which data is stored in a video table 310) and/or images(for which data is stored in an image table 308). Filters, in oneexample, are overlays that are displayed as overlaid on an image orvideo during presentation to a recipient user. Filters may be of variestypes, including user-selected filters from a gallery of filterspresented to a sending user by the messaging client application 104 whenthe sending user is composing a message. Other types of filters includegeolocation filters (also known as geo-filters) which may be presentedto a sending user based on geographic location. For example, geolocationfilters specific to a neighborhood or special location may be presentedwithin a user interface by the messaging client application 104, basedon geolocation information determined by a GPS unit of the client device102. Another type of filer is a data filer, which may be selectivelypresented to a sending user by the messaging client application 104,based on other inputs or information gathered by the client device 102during the message creation process. Example of data filters includecurrent temperature at a specific location, a current speed at which asending user is traveling, battery life for a client device 102, or thecurrent time.

Other annotation data that may be stored within the image table 308 areaugmented reality content generators (e.g., corresponding to applyingLenses, augmented reality experiences, or augmented reality contentitems). An augmented reality content generator may be a real-timespecial effect and sound that may be added to an image or a video.

As described above, augmented reality content generators, augmentedreality content items, overlays, image transformations, AR images andsimilar terms refer to modifications that may be made to videos orimages. This includes real-time modification which modifies an image asit is captured using a device sensor and then displayed on a screen ofthe device with the modifications. This also includes modifications tostored content, such as video clips in a gallery that may be modified.For example, in a device with access to multiple augmented realitycontent generators, a user can use a single video clip with multipleaugmented reality content generators to see how the different augmentedreality content generators will modify the stored clip. For example,multiple augmented reality content generators that apply differentpseudorandom movement models can be applied to the same content byselecting different augmented reality content generators for thecontent. Similarly, real-time video capture may be used with anillustrated modification to show how video images currently beingcaptured by sensors of a device would modify the captured data. Suchdata may simply be displayed on the screen and not stored in memory, orthe content captured by the device sensors may be recorded and stored inmemory with or without the modifications (or both). In some systems, apreview feature can show how different augmented reality contentgenerators will look within different windows in a display at the sametime. This can, for example, enable multiple windows with differentpseudorandom animations to be viewed on a display at the same time.

Data and various systems using augmented reality content generators orother such transform systems to modify content using this data can thusinvolve detection of objects (e.g., faces, hands, bodies, cats, dogs,surfaces, objects, etc.), tracking of such objects as they leave, enter,and move around the field of view in video frames, and the modificationor transformation of such objects as they are tracked. In variousembodiments, different methods for achieving such transformations may beused. For example, some embodiments may involve generating athree-dimensional mesh model of the object or objects, and usingtransformations and animated textures of the model within the video toachieve the transformation. In other embodiments, tracking of points onan object may be used to place an image or texture (which may be twodimensional or three dimensional) at the tracked position. In stillfurther embodiments, neural network analysis of video frames may be usedto place images, models, or textures in content (e.g., images or framesof video). Augmented reality content generators thus refer both to theimages, models, and textures used to create transformations in content,as well as to additional modeling and analysis information needed toachieve such transformations with object detection, tracking, andplacement.

Real-time video processing can be performed with any kind of video data(e.g., video streams, video files, etc.) saved in a memory of acomputerized system of any kind. For example, a user can load videofiles and save them in a memory of a device, or can generate a videostream using sensors of the device. Additionally, any objects can beprocessed using a computer animation model, such as a human's face andparts of a human body, animals, or non-living things such as chairs,cars, or other objects.

In some embodiments, when a particular modification is selected alongwith content to be transformed, elements to be transformed areidentified by the computing device, and then detected and tracked ifthey are present in the frames of the video. The elements of the objectare modified according to the request for modification, thustransforming the frames of the video stream. Transformation of frames ofa video stream can be performed by different methods for different kindsof transformation. For example, for transformations of frames mostlyreferring to changing forms of object's elements characteristic pointsfor each of element of an object are calculated (e.g., using an ActiveShape Model (ASM) or other known methods). Then, a mesh based on thecharacteristic points is generated for each of the at least one elementof the object. This mesh used in the following stage of tracking theelements of the object in the video stream. In the process of tracking,the mentioned mesh for each element is aligned with a position of eachelement. Then, additional points are generated on the mesh. A first setof first points is generated for each element based on a request formodification, and a set of second points is generated for each elementbased on the set of first points and the request for modification. Then,the frames of the video stream can be transformed by modifying theelements of the object on the basis of the sets of first and secondpoints and the mesh. In such method, a background of the modified objectcan be changed or distorted as well by tracking and modifying thebackground.

In one or more embodiments, transformations changing some areas of anobject using its elements can be performed by calculating ofcharacteristic points for each element of an object and generating amesh based on the calculated characteristic points. Points are generatedon the mesh, and then various areas based on the points are generated.The elements of the object are then tracked by aligning the area foreach element with a position for each of the at least one element, andproperties of the areas can be modified based on the request formodification, thus transforming the frames of the video stream.Depending on the specific request for modification properties of thementioned areas can be transformed in different ways. Such modificationsmay involve changing color of areas; removing at least some part ofareas from the frames of the video stream; including one or more newobjects into areas which are based on a request for modification; andmodifying or distorting the elements of an area or object. In variousembodiments, any combination of such modifications or other similarmodifications may be used. For certain models to be animated, somecharacteristic points can be selected as control points to be used indetermining the entire state-space of options for the model animation.

In some embodiments of a computer animation model to transform imagedata using face detection, the face is detected on an image with use ofa specific face detection algorithm (e.g., Viola-Jones). Then, an ActiveShape Model (ASM) algorithm is applied to the face region of an image todetect facial feature reference points.

In other embodiments, other methods and algorithms suitable for facedetection can be used. For example, in some embodiments, features arelocated using a landmark which represents a distinguishable pointpresent in most of the images under consideration. For facial landmarks,for example, the location of the left eye pupil may be used. In aninitial landmark is not identifiable (e.g., if a person has aneyepatch), secondary landmarks may be used. Such landmark identificationprocedures may be used for any such objects. In some embodiments, a setof landmarks forms a shape. Shapes can be represented as vectors usingthe coordinates of the points in the shape. One shape is aligned toanother with a similarity transform (allowing translation, scaling, androtation) that minimizes the average Euclidean distance between shapepoints. The mean shape is the mean of the aligned training shapes.

In some embodiments, a search for landmarks from the mean shape alignedto the position and size of the face determined by a global facedetector is started. Such a search then repeats the steps of suggestinga tentative shape by adjusting the locations of shape points by templatematching of the image texture around each point and then conforming thetentative shape to a global shape model until convergence occurs. Insome systems, individual template matches are unreliable and the shapemodel pools the results of the weak template matchers to form a strongeroverall classifier. The entire search is repeated at each level in animage pyramid, from coarse to fine resolution.

Embodiments of a transformation system can capture an image or videostream on a client device (e.g., the client device 102) and performcomplex image manipulations locally on the client device 102 whilemaintaining a suitable user experience, computation time, and powerconsumption. The complex image manipulations may include size and shapechanges, emotion transfers (e.g., changing a face from a frown to asmile), state transfers (e.g., aging a subject, reducing apparent age,changing gender), style transfers, graphical element application, andany other suitable image or video manipulation implemented by aconvolutional neural network that has been configured to executeefficiently on the client device 102.

In some example embodiments, a computer animation model to transformimage data can be used by a system where a user may capture an image orvideo stream of the user (e.g., a selfie) using a client device 102having a neural network operating as part of a messaging clientapplication 104 operating on the client device 102. The transform systemoperating within the messaging client application 104 determines thepresence of a face within the image or video stream and providesmodification icons associated with a computer animation model totransform image data, or the computer animation model can be present asassociated with an interface described herein. The modification iconsinclude changes which may be the basis for modifying the user's facewithin the image or video stream as part of the modification operation.Once a modification icon is selected, the transform system initiates aprocess to convert the image of the user to reflect the selectedmodification icon (e.g., generate a smiling face on the user). In someembodiments, a modified image or video stream may be presented in agraphical user interface displayed on the mobile client device as soonas the image or video stream is captured and a specified modification isselected. The transform system may implement a complex convolutionalneural network on a portion of the image or video stream to generate andapply the selected modification. That is, the user may capture the imageor video stream and be presented with a modified result in real time ornear real time once a modification icon has been selected. Further, themodification may be persistent while the video stream is being capturedand the selected modification icon remains toggled. Machine taughtneural networks may be used to enable such modifications.

In some embodiments, the graphical user interface, presenting themodification performed by the transform system, may supply the user withadditional interaction options. Such options may be based on theinterface used to initiate the content capture and selection of aparticular computer animation model (e.g., initiation from a contentcreator user interface). In various embodiments, a modification may bepersistent after an initial selection of a modification icon. The usermay toggle the modification on or off by tapping or otherwise selectingthe face being modified by the transformation system and store it forlater viewing or browse to other areas of the imaging application. Wheremultiple faces are modified by the transformation system, the user maytoggle the modification on or off globally by tapping or selecting asingle face modified and displayed within a graphical user interface. Insome embodiments, individual faces, among a group of multiple faces, maybe individually modified or such modifications may be individuallytoggled by tapping or selecting the individual face or a series ofindividual faces displayed within the graphical user interface.

In some example embodiments, a graphical processing pipelinearchitecture is provided that enables different augmented realityexperiences (e.g., AR content generators) to be applied in correspondingdifferent layers. Such a graphical processing pipeline provides anextensible rendering engine for providing multiple augmented realityexperiences that are included in a composite media (e.g., image orvideo) for rendering by the messaging client application 104 (or themessaging system 100).

As mentioned above, the video table 310 stores video data which, in oneembodiment, is associated with messages for which records are maintainedwithin the message table 314. Similarly, the image table 308 storesimage data associated with messages for which message data is stored inthe entity table 302. The entity table 302 may associate variousannotations from the annotation table 312 with various images and videosstored in the image table 308 and the video table 310.

A story table 306 stores data regarding collections of messages andassociated image, video, or audio data, which are compiled into acollection (e.g., a story or a gallery). The creation of a particularcollection may be initiated by a particular user (e.g., each user forwhich a record is maintained in the entity table 302). A user may createa ‘personal story’ in the form of a collection of content that has beencreated and sent/broadcast by that user. To this end, the user interfaceof the messaging client application 104 may include an icon that isuser-selectable to enable a sending user to add specific content to hisor her personal story.

A collection may also constitute a ‘live story,’ which is a collectionof content from multiple users that is created manually, automatically,or using a combination of manual and automatic techniques. For example,a ‘live story’ may constitute a curated stream of user-submitted contentfrom varies locations and events. Users whose client devices havelocation services enabled and are at a common location event at aparticular time may, for example, be presented with an option, via auser interface of the messaging client application 104, to contributecontent to a particular live story. The live story may be identified tothe user by the messaging client application 104, based on his or herlocation. The end result is a ‘live story’ told from a communityperspective.

A further type of content collection is known as a ‘location story’,which enables a user whose client device 102 is located within aspecific geographic location (e.g., on a college or university campus)to contribute to a particular collection. In some embodiments, acontribution to a location story may require a second degree ofauthentication to verify that the end user belongs to a specificorganization or other entity (e.g., is a student on the universitycampus).

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of a message 400,according to some embodiments, generated by a messaging clientapplication 104 for communication to a further messaging clientapplication 104 or the messaging server application 114. The content ofa particular message 400 is used to populate the message table 314stored within the database 120, accessible by the messaging serverapplication 114. Similarly, the content of a message 400 is stored inmemory as ‘in-transit’ or ‘in-flight’ data of the client device 102 orthe application server 112. The message 400 is shown to include thefollowing components:

A message identifier 402: a unique identifier that identifies themessage 400.

A message text payload 404: text, to be generated by a user via a userinterface of the client device 102 and that is included in the message400.

A message image payload 406: image data, captured by a camera componentof a client device 102 or retrieved from a memory component of a clientdevice 102, and that is included in the message 400.

A message video payload 408: video data, captured by a camera componentor retrieved from a memory component of the client device 102 and thatis included in the message 400.

A message audio payload 410: audio data, captured by a microphone orretrieved from a memory component of the client device 102, and that isincluded in the message 400.

A message annotations 412: annotation data (e.g., filters, stickers orother enhancements) that represents annotations to be applied to messageimage payload 406, message video payload 408, or message audio payload410 of the message 400.

A message duration parameter 414: parameter value indicating, inseconds, the amount of time for which content of the message (e.g., themessage image payload 406, message video payload 408, message audiopayload 410) is to be presented or made accessible to a user via themessaging client application 104.

A message geolocation parameter 416: geolocation data (e.g., latitudinaland longitudinal coordinates) associated with the content payload of themessage. Multiple message geolocation parameter 416 values may beincluded in the payload, each of these parameter values being associatedwith respect to content items included in the content (e.g., a specificimage into within the message image payload 406, or a specific video inthe message video payload 408).

A message story identifier 418: identifier values identifying one ormore content collections (e.g., ‘stories’) with which a particularcontent item in the message image payload 406 of the message 400 isassociated. For example, multiple images within the message imagepayload 406 may each be associated with multiple content collectionsusing identifier values.

A message tag 420: each message 400 may be tagged with multiple tags,each of which is indicative of the subject matter of content included inthe message payload. For example, where a particular image included inthe message image payload 406 depicts an animal (e.g., a lion), a tagvalue may be included within the message tag 420 that is indicative ofthe relevant animal. Tag values may be generated manually, based on userinput, or may be automatically generated using, for example, imagerecognition.

A message sender identifier 422: an identifier (e.g., a messaging systemidentifier, email address, or device identifier) indicative of a user ofthe client device 102 on which the message 400 was generated and fromwhich the message 400 was sent

A message receiver identifier 424: an identifier (e.g., a messagingsystem identifier, email address, or device identifier) indicative of auser of the client device 102 to which the message 400 is addressed.

The contents (e.g., values) of the various components of message 400 maybe pointers to locations in tables within which content data values arestored. For example, an image value in the message image payload 406 maybe a pointer to (or address of) a location within an image table 308.Similarly, values within the message video payload 408 may point to datastored within a video table 310, values stored within the messageannotations 412 may point to data stored in an annotation table 312,values stored within the message story identifier 418 may point to datastored in a story table 306, and values stored within the message senderidentifier 422 and the message receiver identifier 424 may point to userrecords stored within an entity table 302.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an access-limiting process500, in terms of which access to content (e.g., an ephemeral message502, and associated multimedia payload of data) or a content collection(e.g., an ephemeral message group 504) may be time-limited (e.g., madeephemeral).

An ephemeral message 502 is shown to be associated with a messageduration parameter 506, the value of which determines an amount of timethat the ephemeral message 502 will be displayed to a receiving user ofthe ephemeral message 502 by the messaging client application 104. Inone embodiment, an ephemeral message 502 is viewable by a receiving userfor up to a maximum of 10 seconds, depending on the amount of time thatthe sending user specifies using the message duration parameter 506.

The message duration parameter 506 and the message receiver identifier424 are shown to be inputs to a message timer 512, which is responsiblefor determining the amount of time that the ephemeral message 502 isshown to a particular receiving user identified by the message receiveridentifier 424. In particular, the ephemeral message 502 will only beshown to the relevant receiving user for a time period determined by thevalue of the message duration parameter 506. The message timer 512 isshown to provide output to a more generalized ephemeral timer system202, which is responsible for the overall timing of display of content(e.g., an ephemeral message 502) to a receiving user.

The ephemeral message 502 is shown in FIG. 5 to be included within anephemeral message group 504 (e.g., a collection of messages in apersonal story, or an event story). The ephemeral message group 504 hasan associated group duration parameter 508, a value of which determinesa time-duration for which the ephemeral message group 504 is presentedand accessible to users of the messaging system 100. The group durationparameter 508, for example, may be the duration of a music concert,where the ephemeral message group 504 is a collection of contentpertaining to that concert. Alternatively, a user (either the owninguser or a curator user) may specify the value for the group durationparameter 508 when performing the setup and creation of the ephemeralmessage group 504.

Additionally, each ephemeral message 502 within the ephemeral messagegroup 504 has an associated group participation parameter 510, a valueof which determines the duration of time for which the ephemeral message502 will be accessible within the context of the ephemeral message group504. Accordingly, a particular ephemeral message group 504 may ‘expire’and become inaccessible within the context of the ephemeral messagegroup 504, prior to the ephemeral message group 504 itself expiring interms of the group duration parameter 508. The group duration parameter508, group participation parameter 510, and message receiver identifier424 each provide input to a group timer 514, which operationallydetermines, firstly, whether a particular ephemeral message 502 of theephemeral message group 504 will be displayed to a particular receivinguser and, if so, for how long. Note that the ephemeral message group 504is also aware of the identity of the particular receiving user as aresult of the message receiver identifier 424.

Accordingly, the group timer 514 operationally controls the overalllifespan of an associated ephemeral message group 504, as well as anindividual ephemeral message 502 included in the ephemeral message group504. In one embodiment, each and every ephemeral message 502 within theephemeral message group 504 remains viewable and accessible for atime-period specified by the group duration parameter 508. In a furtherembodiment, a certain ephemeral message 502 may expire, within thecontext of ephemeral message group 504, based on a group participationparameter 510. Note that a message duration parameter 506 may stilldetermine the duration of time for which a particular ephemeral message502 is displayed to a receiving user, even within the context of theephemeral message group 504. Accordingly, the message duration parameter506 determines the duration of time that a particular ephemeral message502 is displayed to a receiving user, regardless of whether thereceiving user is viewing that ephemeral message 502 inside or outsidethe context of an ephemeral message group 504.

The ephemeral timer system 202 may furthermore operationally remove aparticular ephemeral message 502 from the ephemeral message group 504based on a determination that it has exceeded an associated groupparticipation parameter 510. For example, when a sending user hasestablished a group participation parameter 510 of 24 hours fromposting, the ephemeral timer system 202 will remove the relevantephemeral message 502 from the ephemeral message group 504 after thespecified 24 hours. The ephemeral timer system 202 also operates toremove an ephemeral message group 504 either when the groupparticipation parameter 510 for each and every ephemeral message 502within the ephemeral message group 504 has expired, or when theephemeral message group 504 itself has expired in terms of the groupduration parameter 508.

In certain use cases, a creator of a particular ephemeral message group504 may specify an indefinite group duration parameter 508. In thiscase, the expiration of the group participation parameter 510 for thelast remaining ephemeral message 502 within the ephemeral message group504 will determine when the ephemeral message group 504 itself expires.In this case, a new ephemeral message 502, added to the ephemeralmessage group 504, with a new group participation parameter 510,effectively extends the life of an ephemeral message group 504 to equalthe value of the group participation parameter 510.

Responsive to the ephemeral timer system 202 determining that anephemeral message group 504 has expired (e.g., is no longer accessible),the ephemeral timer system 202 communicates with the messaging system100 (and, for example, specifically the messaging client application104) to cause an indicium (e.g., an icon) associated with the relevantephemeral message group 504 to no longer be displayed within a userinterface of the messaging client application 104. Similarly, when theephemeral timer system 202 determines that the message durationparameter 506 for a particular ephemeral message 502 has expired, theephemeral timer system 202 causes the messaging client application 104to no longer display an indicium (e.g., an icon or textualidentification) associated with the ephemeral message 502.

As described above, media overlays, such as Lenses, overlays, imagetransformations, AR images and similar terms refer to modifications thatmay be made to videos or images. This includes real-time modificationwhich modifies an image as it is captured using a device sensor and thendisplayed on a screen of the device with the modifications. This alsoincludes modifications to stored content, such as video clips in agallery that may be modified. For example, in a device with access tomultiple media overlays (e.g., Lenses), a user can use a single videoclip with multiple Lenses to see how the different Lenses will modifythe stored clip. For example, multiple Lenses that apply differentpseudorandom movement models can be applied to the same content byselecting different Lenses for the content. Similarly, real-time videocapture may be used with an illustrated modification to show how videoimages currently being captured by sensors of a device would modify thecaptured data. Such data may simply be displayed on the screen and notstored in memory, or the content captured by the device sensors may berecorded and stored in memory with or without the modifications (orboth). In some systems, a preview feature can show how different Lenseswill look within different windows in a display at the same time. Thiscan, for example, enable multiple windows with different pseudorandomanimations to be viewed on a display at the same time.

Data and various systems to use Lenses or other such transform systemsto modify content using this data can thus involve detection of objects(e.g. faces, hands, bodies, cats, dogs, surfaces, objects, etc.),tracking of such objects as they leave, enter, and move around the fieldof view in video frames, and the modification or transformation of suchobjects as they are tracked. In various embodiments, different methodsfor achieving such transformations may be used. For example, someembodiments may involve generating a three-dimensional mesh model of theobject or objects, and using transformations and animated textures ofthe model within the video to achieve the transformation. In otherembodiments, tracking of points on an object may be used to place animage or texture (which may be two dimensional or three dimensional) atthe tracked position. In still further embodiments, neural networkanalysis of video frames may be used to place images, models, ortextures in content (e.g. images or frames of video). Lens data thusrefers both to the images, models, and textures used to createtransformations in content, as well as to additional modeling andanalysis information needed to achieve such transformations with objectdetection, tracking, and placement.

Real time video processing can be performed with any kind of video data,(e.g. video streams, video files, etc.) saved in a memory of acomputerized system of any kind. For example, a user can load videofiles and save them in a memory of a device, or can generate a videostream using sensors of the device. Additionally, any objects can beprocessed using a computer animation model, such as a human's face andparts of a human body, animals, or non-living things such as chairs,cars, or other objects.

In some embodiments, when a particular modification is selected alongwith content to be transformed, elements to be transformed areidentified by the computing device, and then detected and tracked ifthey are present in the frames of the video. The elements of the objectare modified according to the request for modification, thustransforming the frames of the video stream. Transformation of frames ofa video stream can be performed by different methods for different kindsof transformation. For example, for transformations of frames mostlyreferring to changing forms of object's elements characteristic pointsfor each of element of an object are calculated (e.g. using an ActiveShape Model (ASM) or other known methods). Then, a mesh based on thecharacteristic points is generated for each of the at least one elementof the object. This mesh used in the following stage of tracking theelements of the object in the video stream. In the process of tracking,the mentioned mesh for each element is aligned with a position of eachelement. Then, additional points are generated on the mesh. A first setof first points is generated for each element based on a request formodification, and a set of second points is generated for each elementbased on the set of first points and the request for modification. Then,the frames of the video stream can be transformed by modifying theelements of the object on the basis of the sets of first and secondpoints and the mesh. In such method a background of the modified objectcan be changed or distorted as well by tracking and modifying thebackground.

In one or more embodiments, transformations changing some areas of anobject using its elements can be performed by calculating ofcharacteristic points for each element of an object and generating amesh based on the calculated characteristic points. Points are generatedon the mesh, and then various areas based on the points are generated.The elements of the object are then tracked by aligning the area foreach element with a position for each of the at least one element, andproperties of the areas can be modified based on the request formodification, thus transforming the frames of the video stream.Depending on the specific request for modification properties of thementioned areas can be transformed in different ways. Such modificationsmay involve: changing color of areas: removing at least some part ofareas from the frames of the video stream; including one or more newobjects into areas which are based on a request for modification; andmodifying or distorting the elements of an area or object. In variousembodiments, any combination of such modifications or other similarmodifications may be used. For certain models to be animated, somecharacteristic points can be selected as control points to be used indetermining the entire state-space of options for the model animation.

In some embodiments of a computer animation model to transform imagedata using face detection, the face is detected on an image with use ofa specific face detection algorithm (e.g. Viola-Jones). Then, an ActiveShape Model (ASM) algorithm is applied to the face region of an image todetect facial feature reference points.

In other embodiments, other methods and algorithms suitable for facedetection can be used. For example, in some embodiments, features arelocated using a landmark which represents a distinguishable pointpresent in most of the images under consideration. For facial landmarks,for example, the location of the left eye pupil may be used. In aninitial landmark is not identifiable (e.g. if a person has an eyepatch),secondary landmarks may be used. Such landmark identification proceduresmay be used for any such objects. In some embodiments, a set oflandmarks forms a shape. Shapes can be represented as vectors using thecoordinates of the points in the shape. One shape is aligned to anotherwith a similarity transform (allowing translation, scaling, androtation) that minimizes the average Euclidean distance between shapepoints. The mean shape is the mean of the aligned training shapes.

In some embodiments, a search for landmarks from the mean shape alignedto the position and size of the face determined by a global facedetector is started. Such a search then repeats the steps of suggestinga tentative shape by adjusting the locations of shape points by templatematching of the image texture around each point and then conforming thetentative shape to a global shape model until convergence occurs. Insome systems, individual template matches are unreliable and the shapemodel pools the results of the weak template matchers to form a strongeroverall classifier. The entire search is repeated at each level in animage pyramid, from coarse to fine resolution.

Embodiments of a transformation system can capture an image or videostream on a client device and perform complex image manipulationslocally on a client device such as client device 102 while maintaining asuitable user experience, computation time, and power consumption. Thecomplex image manipulations may include size and shape changes, emotiontransfers (e.g., changing a face from a frown to a smile), statetransfers (e.g., aging a subject, reducing apparent age, changinggender), style transfers, graphical element application, and any othersuitable image or video manipulation implemented by a convolutionalneural network that has been configured to execute efficiently on aclient device.

In some example embodiments, a computer animation model to transformimage data can be used by a system where a user may capture an image orvideo stream of the user (e.g., a selfie) using a client device 102having a neural network operating as part of a messaging clientapplication 104 operating on the client device 102. The transform systemoperating within the messaging client application 104 determines thepresence of a face within the image or video stream and providesmodification icons associated with a computer animation model totransform image data, or the computer animation model can be present asassociated with an interface described herein. The modification iconsinclude changes which may be the basis for modifying the user's facewithin the image or video stream as part of the modification operation.Once a modification icon is selected, the transform system initiates aprocess to convert the image of the user to reflect the selectedmodification icon (e.g., generate a smiling face on the user). In someembodiments, a modified image or video stream may be presented in agraphical user interface displayed on the mobile client device as soonas the image or video stream is captured and a specified modification isselected. The transform system may implement a complex convolutionalneural network on a portion of the image or video stream to generate andapply the selected modification. That is, the user may capture the imageor video stream and be presented with a modified result in real time ornear real time once a modification icon has been selected. Further, themodification may be persistent while the video stream is being capturedand the selected modification icon remains toggled. Machine taughtneural networks may be used to enable such modifications.

In some embodiments, the graphical user interface, presenting themodification performed by the transform system, may supply the user withadditional interaction options. Such options may be based on theinterface used to initiate the content capture and selection of aparticular computer animation model (e.g. initiation from a contentcreator user interface). In various embodiments, a modification may bepersistent after an initial selection of a modification icon. The usermay toggle the modification on or off by tapping or otherwise selectingthe face being modified by the transformation system. and store it forlater viewing or browse to other areas of the imaging application. Wheremultiple faces are modified by the transformation system, the user maytoggle the modification on or off globally by tapping or selecting asingle face modified and displayed within a graphical user interface. Insome embodiments, individual faces, among a group of multiple faces, maybe individually modified or such modifications may be individuallytoggled by tapping or selecting the individual face or a series ofindividual faces displayed within the graphical user interface.

In some example embodiments, a graphical processing pipelinearchitecture is provided that enables different media overlays to beapplied in corresponding different layers. Such a graphical processingpipeline provides an extensible rendering engine for providing multipleaugmented reality content generators that are included in a compositemedia (e.g., image or video) for rendering by the messaging clientapplication 104 (or the messaging system 100).

As discussed herein, the subject infrastructure supports the creationand sharing of interactive messages with interactive effects throughoutvarious components of the messaging system 100. In an example, toprovide such interactive effects, a given interactive message mayinclude image data along with 2D data, or 3D data. The infrastructure asdescribed herein enables other forms of 3D and interactive media (e.g.,2D media content) to be provided across the subject system, which allowsfor such interactive media to be shared across the messaging system 100and alongside photo and video messages. In example embodiments describedherein, messages can enter the system from a live camera or via fromstorage (e.g., where messages with 2D or 3D content or augmented reality(AR) effects (e.g., 3D effects, or other interactive effects are storedin memory or a database). In an example of an interactive message with3D data, the subject system supports motion sensor input and manages thesending and storage of 3D data, and loading of external effects andasset data.

As mentioned above, an interactive message includes an image incombination with a 2D effect, or a 3D effect and depth data. In anexample embodiment, a message is rendered using the subject system tovisualize the spatial detail/geometry of what the camera sees, inaddition to a traditional image texture. When a viewer interacts withthis message by moving a client device, the movement triggerscorresponding changes in the perspective the image and geometry arerendered at to the viewer.

In an embodiment, the subject system provides AR effects (which mayinclude 3D effects using 3D data, or interactive 2D effects that do notuse 3D data) that work in conjunction with other components of thesystem to provide particles, shaders, 2D assets and 3D geometry that caninhabit different 3D-planes within messages. The AR effects as describedherein, in an example, are rendered in a real-time manner for the user.

As mentioned herein, a gyro-based interaction refers to a type ofinteraction in which a given client device's rotation is used as aninput to change an aspect of the effect (e.g., rotating phone alongx-axis in order to change the color of a light in the scene).

As mentioned herein, an augmented reality content generator refers to areal-time special effect and/or sound that may be added to a message andmodifies image and/or 3D data with an AR effects and/other 3D contentsuch as 3D animated graphical elements, 3D objects (e.g., non-animated),and the like.

The following discussion relates to example data that is stored inconnection with such a message in accordance to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of the messageannotations 412, as described above in FIG. 4, including additionalinformation corresponding to a given message, according to someembodiments, generated by the messaging client application 104.

In an embodiment, the content of a particular message 400, as shown inFIG. 3, including the additional data shown in FIG. 6 is used topopulate the message table 314 stored within the database 120 for agiven message, which is then accessible by the messaging clientapplication 104. As illustrated in FIG. 6, message annotations 412includes the following components corresponding to various data:

-   -   augmented reality (AR) content identifier 652: identifier of an        AR content generator utilized in the message    -   message identifier 654: identifier of the message    -   asset identifiers 656: a set of identifiers for assets in the        message. For example, respective asset identifiers can be        included for assets that are determined by the particular AR        content generator. In an embodiment, such assets are created by        the AR content generator on the sender side client device,        uploaded to the messaging server application 114, and utilized        on the receiver side client device in order to recreate the        message. Examples of typical assets include:        -   The original still RGB image(s) captured by the camera        -   The post-processed image(s) with AR content generator            effects applied to the original image    -   augmented reality (AR) content metadata 658: additional metadata        associated with the AR content generator corresponding to the AR        identifier 652, such as:        -   AR content generator category: corresponding to a type or            classification for a particular AR content generator        -   AR content generator carousel index        -   carousel group: This can be populated and utilized when            eligible post-capture AR content generators are inserted            into a carousel interface. In an implementation, a new value            “TRAVEL_AR_DEFAULT_GROUP” (e.g., a default group assigned to            a travel-related AR content generator can be added to the            list of valid group names, and travel-related AR content            generators can be included this group.    -   capture metadata 660 corresponding to additional metadata, such        as:        -   camera image metadata            -   camera intrinsic data                -   focal length                -   principal point            -   other camera information (e.g., camera position)        -   sensor information            -   gyroscopic sensor data            -   position sensor data            -   accelerometer sensor data            -   other sensor data            -   location sensor data    -   travel metadata 662 corresponding to additional metadata, such        as:        -   geolocation information of a particular destination            geolocation(s)        -   user profile information related to travel preferences and            interests        -   social graph information related to other users that are            interested in traveling, or to be included in (group) travel            planning

FIG. 7 is a block diagram 700 illustrating various modules of anannotation system 206, according to certain example embodiments. Theannotation system 206 is shown as including an image data receivingmodule 702, a sensor data receiving module 704, an image data processingmodule 706, an augmented reality (AR) effects module 708, a renderingmodule 710, and a sharing module 712. The various modules of theannotation system 206 are configured to communicate with each other(e.g., via a bus, shared memory, or a switch). Any one or more of thesemodules may be implemented using one or more computer processors 720(e.g., by configuring such one or more computer processors to performfunctions described for that module) and hence may include one or moreof the computer processors 720 (e.g., a set of processors provided bythe client device 102).

Any one or more of the modules described may be implemented usinghardware alone (e.g., one or more of the computer processors 720 of amachine (e.g., machine 1800) or a combination of hardware and software.For example, any described module of the annotation system 206 mayphysically include an arrangement of one or more of the computerprocessors 720 (e.g., a subset of or among the one or more computerprocessors of the machine (e.g., machine 1800) configured to perform theoperations described herein for that module. As another example, anymodule of the annotation system 206 may include software, hardware, orboth, that configure an arrangement of one or more computer processors720 (e.g., among the one or more computer processors of the machine(e.g., machine 1800) to perform the operations described herein for thatmodule. Accordingly, different modules of the annotation system 206 mayinclude and configure different arrangements of such computer processors720 or a single arrangement of such computer processors 720 at differentpoints in time. Moreover, any two or more modules of the annotationsystem 206 may be combined into a single module, and the functionsdescribed herein for a single module may be subdivided among multiplemodules. Furthermore, according to various example embodiments, modulesdescribed herein as being implemented within a single machine, database,or device may be distributed across multiple machines, databases, ordevices.

The image data receiving module 702 receives images and depth datacaptured by a client device 102. For example, an image is a photographcaptured by an optical sensor (e.g., camera) of the client device 102.An image includes one or more real-world features, such as a user's faceor real-world object(s) detected in the image. In some embodiments, animage includes metadata describing the image.

The sensor data receiving module 704 receives sensor data from a clientdevice 102. Sensor data is any type of data captured by a sensor of theclient device 102. In an example, sensor data can include motion of theclient device 102 gathered by a gyroscope, touch inputs or gestureinputs from a touch sensor (e.g., touchscreen), GPS, or another sensorof the client device 102 that describes a current geographic locationand/or movement of the client device 102. As another example, sensordata may include temperature data indicating a current temperature asdetected by a sensor of the client device 102. As another example, thesensor data may include light sensor data indicating whether the clientdevice 102 is in a dark or bright environment.

The image data processing module 706 performs operations on the receivedimage data. For example, various image processing operations areperformed by the image data processing module 706, which are discussedfurther herein.

The AR effects module 708 performs various operations based onalgorithms or techniques that correspond to animations and/or providingvisual and/or auditory effects to the received image data, which isdescribed further herein. In an embodiment, a given augmented realitycontent generator can utilize the AR effects module 708 to performoperations to render AR effects (e.g., including 2D effects or 3Deffects) and the like.

The rendering module 710 performs rendering of the message for displayby the messaging client application 104 based on data provided by atleast one of the aforementioned modules. In an example, the renderingmodule 710 utilizes a graphical processing pipeline to perform graphicaloperations to render the message for display. The rendering module 710implements, in an example, an extensible rendering engine which supportsmultiple image processing operations corresponding to respectiveaugmented reality content generators.

In some implementations, the rendering module 710 provide a graphicssystem that renders two-dimensional (2D) objects or objects from athree-dimensional (3D) world (real or imaginary) onto a 2D displayscreen. Such a graphics system (e.g., one included on the client device102) includes a graphics processing unit (GPU) in some implementationsfor performing image processing operations and rendering graphicalelements for display.

In an implementation, the GPU includes a logical graphical processingpipeline, which can receive a representation of a 2D or 3D scene andprovide an output of a bitmap that represents a 2D image for display.Existing application programming interfaces (APIs) have implementedgraphical pipeline models. Examples of such APIs include the OpenGraphics Library (OPENGL) API and the METAL API. The graphicalprocessing pipeline includes a number of stages to convert a group ofvertices, textures, buffers, and state information into an image frameon the screen. In an implementation, one of the stages of the graphicalprocessing pipeline is a shader, which may be utilized as part of aparticular augmented reality content generator that is applied to aninput frame (e.g., image or video). A shader can be implemented as coderunning on a specialized processing unit, also referred to as a shaderunit or shader processor, usually executing several computing threads,programmed to generate appropriate levels of color and/or specialeffects to fragments being rendered. For example, a vertex shaderprocesses attributes (position, texture coordinates, color, etc.) of avertex, and a pixel shader processes attributes (texture values, color,z-depth and alpha value) of a pixel. In some instances, a pixel shaderis referred to as a fragment shader.

It is to be appreciated that other types of shader processes may beprovided. In an example, a particular sampling rate is utilized, withinthe graphical processing pipeline, for rendering an entire frame, and/orpixel shading is performed at a particular per-pixel rate. In thismanner, a given electronic device (e.g., the client device 102) operatesthe graphical processing pipeline to convert information correspondingto objects into a bitmap that can be displayed by the electronic device.

The sharing module 712 generates the message for storing and/or sendingto the messaging server system 108. The sharing module 712 enablessharing of messages to other users and/or client devices of themessaging server system 108.

The augmented reality content generator module 714 cause display ofselectable graphical items that, in an embodiment, are presented in acarousel arrangement. By way of example, the user can utilize variousinputs to rotate the selectable graphical items onto and off of thedisplay screen in manner corresponding to a carousel providing a cyclicview of the graphical items. The carousel arrangement allows multiplegraphical items to occupy a particular graphical area on the displayscreen. In an example, augmented reality content generators can beorganized into respective groups for including on the carouselarrangement thereby enabling rotating through augmented reality contentgenerators by group.

In embodiments described herein, by using depth and image data, 3D faceand scene reconstruction can be performed that adds a Z-axis dimension(e.g., depth dimension) to a traditional 2D photos (e.g., X-axis andY-axis dimensions). This format enables the viewer to interact with themessage, changing the angle/perspective in which the message is renderedby the subject system, and affecting particles and shaders that areutilized in rendering the message.

In an example, viewer interaction input comes from movement (e.g., froma movement sensor of the device displaying the message to the viewer)whilst viewing the message, which in turn is translated to changes inperspective for how content, particles and shaders are rendered.Interaction can also come from onscreen touch gestures and other devicemotion.

In embodiments of such user interfaces, selectable graphical items maybe presented in a carousel arrangement in which a portion or subset ofthe selectable graphical items are visible on a display screen of agiven computing device (e.g., the client device 102). By way of example,the user can utilize various inputs to rotate the selectable graphicalitems onto and off of the display screen in manner corresponding to acarousel providing a cyclic view of the graphical items. The carouselarrangement as provided in the user interfaces therefore allow multiplegraphical items to occupy a particular graphical area on the displayscreen.

In an example, respective AR experiences corresponding to different ARcontent generators can be organized into respective groups for includingon the carousel arrangement thereby enabling rotating through mediaoverlays by group. Although a carousel interface is provided as anexample, it is appreciated that other graphical interfaces may beutilized. For example, a set of augmented reality content generators caninclude graphical list, scroll list, scroll graphic, or anothergraphical interface that enables navigation through various graphicalitems for selection, and the like. As used herein a carousel interfacerefers to display of graphical items in an arrangement similar to acircular list, thereby enabling navigation, based on user inputs (e.g.,touch or gestures), through the circular list to select or scrollthrough the graphical items. In an example, a set of graphical items maybe presented on a horizontal (or vertical) line or axis where eachgraphical item is represented as a particular thumbnail image (or icon,avatar, and the like). At any one time, some of the graphical items inthe carousel interface may be hidden. If the user wants to view thehidden graphical items, in an example, the user may provide a user input(e.g., touch, gesture, and the like) to scroll through the graphicalitems in a particular direction (e.g., left, right, up, or down, and thelike). Afterward, a subsequent view of the carousel interface isdisplayed where an animation is provided or rendered to present one ormore additional graphical items for inclusion on the interface, andwhere some of the previously presented graphical items may be hidden inthis subsequent view. In an embodiment, in this manner the user cannavigate through the set of graphical items back and forth in a circularfashion. Thus, it is appreciated that the carousel interface canoptimize screen space by displaying only a subset of images from a setof graphical items in a cyclic view.

As described herein, augmented reality content generators can includedon the carousel arrangement (or another interface as discussed above)thereby enabling rotating through augmented reality content generators.Further, augmented reality content generators can be selected forinclusion based on various signals including, for example, time, date,geolocation, metadata associated with the media content, and the like.In the carousel arrangement of the user interface examples of FIG. 8,respective augmented reality content generators are selected fromavailable augmented reality content generators provided by the subjectsystem.

FIG. 8 illustrates examples of an augmented reality (AR) contentgenerator, and presenting AR content items generated by the AR contentgenerator in the messaging client application 104 (or the messagingsystem 100), according to some embodiments.

In the examples of FIG. 8, augmented reality content generator 810,corresponding to a selectable graphical item, provides augmented realityexperiences with AR content items (e.g., 3D or 2D objects rendered fordisplay in the messaging client application 104) corresponding torespective travel destinations. In an example, a scene can be populatedwith particular AR content items (e.g., 3D or 2D objects) based ondestinations that a given user and other users (e.g., friends connectedwith or included in a given user's social graph) have shown interest(e.g., based on user activity or profile). Further, selection of aparticular AR corresponding to a travel destination (e.g., destinationgeolocation different than a current geolocation of the client device102) causes a display of a 3D scene such as a 3D virtual map of a scenein the destination (e.g., Eiffel tower, or some significant location,monument, or landmark, and the like).

In the following discussion, a first set of selectable graphical itemscorrespond to respective augmented reality content generators. Asillustrated in user interface 800, selectable graphical items,corresponding to a carousel arrangement, includes a selectable graphicalitem, corresponding to an augmented reality content generator 810, inthe display screen of an electronic device (e.g., the client device102). For example, a swipe gesture is received via a touch screen of theclient device 102, and in response to receiving the swipe gesture,navigation through the selectable graphical items is enabled tofacilitate selection of a particular augmented reality contentgenerator. The selectable graphical item, corresponding to augmentedreality content generator 810, is selected via a touch input (e.g., tap,or through a touch release at the end of the gesture) by the user. Inthis example, the selectable graphical item corresponds to a particularaugmented reality content generator for providing AR experiences withother users to browse destination geolocations (e.g., for a potentialtravel destination or vacation).

Upon selection of the selectable graphical item, corresponding toaugmented reality content generator 810, as further shown in userinterface 800, graphical items corresponding to user names (e.g.,“Ceci”, “Kaveh”, and “Jean”) are included to indicate the users that areto participate in a shared viewing experience provided by augmentedreality content generator 810 corresponding to the selectable graphicalitem. Although three users are shown in this example, it is appreciatedthat any number of other users can be included. The AR contentgenerator, in this example, generates selectable AR content itemsincluding 3D objects that are rendered in a current view of a cameraprovided by the client device 102. In an example, each 3D objectcorresponds to a particular destination geolocation (e.g., Yellow Stone,Paris, etc.). To select a set of destination geolocation for renderingthe set of 3D objects, information from a user profile(s) can beprocessed, where such information can indicate desired traveldestinations, interests, and the like. Moreover, such user profileinformation can be based on history geolocation information includingplaces in which a given user may not have yet travel to, or geolocationsthat the user has explicitly indicated a travel interest. In anotherexample, interest in a particular geolocation can be inferred based atleast in part on user activity within the messaging client application104 such as which AR content generators that a user has used or selectedbefore, products that the user has purchased or viewed, links that theuser has visited, or content (e.g., video or images) that the user hasviewed on a prior period of time.

As shown in user interface 800, each of the 3D object can be rendered inrespective positions of a particular arrangement. Examples of such anarrangement can include a grid-like positioning of each 3D object whereeach object is spaced at a equal distance from an adjacent 3D object tosuch that a first set of parallel lines would intersect a subset of the3D objects, and a second set of parrilla lines would be perpendicular tothe first set of parallel lines. Other types of arrangements forrendering the 3D objects are contemplated such as a random arrangement(e.g., where each distance between each of the 3D objects is randomlydetermined), or any arbitrary configuration based on a polygon or shape(e.g., star, circle, hexagon, and the like).

In a second example of FIG. 8, upon selection of the selectablegraphical item, corresponding to an augmented reality content generator820, a 3D scene, included in a 3D environment, corresponding to adestination geolocation is rendered for display in user interface 850 onthe client device 102. The three users discussed above (e.g., “Ceci”,“Kaveh”, and “Jean”) can navigate, as a shared AR experience, throughthe 3D scene through inputs such as various gesture inputs, movement ofthe client device 102 (e.g., motion data from a gyroscopic sensor),which causes a view of the 3D scene to be updated (e.g., re-rendered) inresponse to newly received input or movement data which can change theperspective of the scene that is being viewed by the viewer.

In another example, another user can provide movement or inputs to thereceiving client device, which in response, initiates a re-rendering ofthe 3D environment in which the perspective of the 3D scene that isbeing viewed by each of the viewers is changed based on the providedmovement or inputs. In this manner, different users can navigate throughthe 3D environment and changes the view of the 3D scene and a shared ARexperience can be provided at a selected destination geolocation fortravel. For example, upon receiving a touch input, a different portionof the 3D scene can be rendered and displayed on the client device 102.

FIG. 9 illustrates examples of an augmented reality (AR) contentgenerator, and presenting AR content items generated by an AR contentgenerator in the messaging client application 104 (or the messagingsystem 100), according to some embodiments.

In the examples of FIG. 9, augmented reality content generator 910,corresponding to a selectable graphical item, provides augmented realityexperiences with AR content items (e.g., 3D or 2D objects rendered fordisplay in the messaging client application 104) for determining travellocations with other users on the platform. The selectable graphicalitem, corresponding to augmented reality content generator 910, isselected via a touch input (e.g., tap, or through a touch release at theend of the gesture) by the user.

As illustrated in user interface 900, a scene can be rendered to displayparticular AR content items (e.g., 3D or 2D objects) based ondestinations that a given user has shown interest (e.g., based on useractivity or profile). In another embodiment, the particular AR contentcan be selected using other signals e.g., such a predetermined number ofdestination geolocations, a number based on a function with respect toan amount of available display size (e.g., more geolocations can beselected the larger the display size), a random selection of a number ofdestination geolocations, selection based on aggregate popularity fromaggregate user activity (e.g., friends or other users, and usersconnected to each other in a social graph), or other selection basisinclude any combination of the foregoing.

As shown, user interface 950 is segmented into different portions with adifferent AR content item in each portion corresponding to a respectivetravel location. In this example, user interface 950 includes AR contentitem 960, AR content item 970, AR content item 980, AR content item 990,each of which may be user selectable, corresponding to four differentdestination geolocations, which may also include textual informationdescribing the particular destination geolocation of the AR contentitem. In an embodiment, each of the AR content items is generated usinga respective AR content generator in a portion of the display of theclient device (e.g., client device 102) such that it is possible thatmultiple AR content generators provide different AR content items inuser interface 950. As mentioned above, the destination geolocations canbe selected using different signals and provided for display in userinterface 950. A user input can be select one of the AR content items,such as a touch input (e.g., tap, or through a touch release at the endof the gesture) by the user. Moreover, each of the AR content items inuser interface 950 may response to movement from the client device(e.g., the client device 102) such that in response to movement, the ARcontent items are re-rendered and updated with respect to the movement.For example, different AR effects and other graphical or auditoryeffects can be provided in response to such movement.

In an embodiment, upon selection of the AR content item of a particulardestination geolocation, a second user interface (e.g., calendar view)is provided to enable the user to select time periods that the user isable to travel, and yet another third user interface provides selectablegraphical items (e.g., options) for booking travel related activities(e.g. from third party travel site or service) which is discussedfurther below in FIG. 10.

FIG. 10 illustrates examples of an augmented reality (AR) contentgenerator, and presenting various content items generated by an ARcontent generator in the messaging client application 104 (or themessaging system 100), according to some embodiments.

In the examples of FIG. 10, an AR content generator, (e.g.,corresponding to augmented reality content generator 910, as discussedabove), provides augmented reality experiences with AR content items(e.g., 3D or 2D objects rendered for display in the messaging clientapplication 104) to select a time period(s) that the user is able totravel with at least another user in the messaging system 100.

As shown, user interface 1000 includes an AR content item 1010corresponding to a calendar. Using touch inputs, the user can select aperiod of time based on the dates shown in the calendar. Moreover, theuser can navigate to different period of times (e.g., different months)using selectable graphical items in the AR content item 1010 such asscroll elements, buttons, and the like.

In this example, after selecting a particular period of time, userinterface 1050 is provided for display on the client device 102, whichincludes AR content item 1060, AR content item 1070, and AR content item1080. AR content item 1060 corresponds to respective graphical itemsshown profile images or digital avatars including the user and at leastone other user that the travel planning involves. AR content item 1070shows an indication of a destination geolocation and information for theselected period of time (e.g., pricing information). AR content item1080 includes information related to a hotel (or activity in anotherexample) that can be booked for the selected period of time. In anembodiment, the user can select AR content item 1080 which can thencause a 3D scene (or other additional AR content) to be displayed on theclient device 102 to enable the user to further explore place ofbusiness (e.g., a hotel room, tourist attraction, landmark, and thelike) associated with the AR content item 1080. This enables anadditional AR experience to be provided to the user(s) and furtherenhance the booking user experience (UX). Similar to examples describedbefore, the user can share the AR experience of exploring the place ofbusiness with the other user which the user is planning to travel withto the destination geolocation.

FIG. 11 illustrates examples of an augmented reality (AR) contentgenerator, and presenting AR content items generated by an AR contentgenerator in the messaging client application 104 (or the messagingsystem 100), according to some embodiments.

In the examples of FIG. 11, an AR content generator, (e.g.,corresponding to augmented reality content generator 910, as discussedabove), provides augmented reality experiences with AR content items(e.g., 3D or 2D objects rendered for display in the messaging clientapplication 104) to show an itinerary (or set of activities orlocations) for a trip to a given destination geolocation that the userhas planned with at least another user in the messaging system 100.

As shown, user interface 1100 includes an AR content item 1110corresponding to a trip itinerary. Using touch inputs, the user canselect AR content item 1110 to further display activities or locationsfor the trip itinerary.

In this example, after selecting AR content item 1110, user interface1150 is provided for display on the client device 102, which includes ARcontent item 1160, AR content item 1170, and AR content item 1180. ARcontent item 1160 corresponds to a map of the destination geolocation,AR content item 1170 is a detailed view of the trip itinerary, and ARcontent item 1180 includes information for a place of business that isto be visited during the trip itinerary. As mentioned above, the tripitinerary may correspond to the selected period of time that the travelhas been planned by the user.

FIG. 12 illustrates examples of an augmented reality (AR) contentgenerator, and presenting AR content items generated by the AR contentgenerator in the messaging client application 104 (or the messagingsystem 100), according to some embodiments.

In the examples of FIG. 12, an AR content generator 1210, (e.g.,corresponding to a selectable graphical item), provides augmentedreality experiences with AR content items (e.g., 3D or 2D objectsrendered for display in the messaging client application 104) to show ananimation of images of different activities or locations for aparticular destination geolocation (e.g., similar in appearance to ashuffling picture slide deck) corresponding to a future travel locationof the user. Using touch inputs, the user can select the selectablegraphical item in user interface 1200, corresponding to the AR contentgenerator 1210, to further display activities or locations for adestination geolocation.

In an embodiment, the AR content generator 1210 can provide othergraphical items (e.g., a text entry field or box, a map, or a dropdownlist with a set of destination geolocations, and the like) for receivinguser input to select a particular destination geolocation. In anotherembodiment, the AR content generator 1210 can select a particulardestination geolocation based signals such as user activity, userprofile information, user preferences, and the like.

As shown, user interface 1200 includes an AR content item 1220 includedin a set of AR content items. Images corresponding to differentactivities can be selected in a randomized manner. User input can selectpause the animation of images to select a particular image, and uponselection, a 3D immersive view (e.g., 3D scene) of the locationcorresponding to the activity can be displayed.

Although in this example, the set of AR content items is provided fordisplay as discernable separate AR content items (e.g., stacked cards),in another example only one AR content item may be shown at a time whileeach of the AR content items are cycled for display at a rapid pace(e.g., similar to an animated shuffling deck of cards or changing flashcards/placards).

In this example, after selecting selectable graphical item correspondingto AR content generator 1210, user interface 1200 is provided fordisplay on the client device 102, which includes AR content item 1220.AR content item 1220 corresponds to a particular activity of thedestination geolocation, which may be initially shown and subsequentlyother AR content items are displayed is rapid succession to mimic ananimated deck of cards that shuffle between one AR content item to asecond AR content item and continuing in this similar fashion (orsimilar to different frames of film that are cycled through). In anembodiment, the animation cycles through the various AR content items atmultiple AR content items per second but much less than 30 times asecond (e.g., 2-5 times a second).

In an example, a long press touch gesture can be received to select agiven AR content item (e.g., AR content item 1220). While the long presstouch input has yet to be released, the animation cycling throughvarious AR content items is momentarily paused and held to the selectedAR content item. In an embodiment, upon release of the long press touchinput, a second AR content item (e.g., 3D scene) is displayed on theclient device 102. Alternatively, if a gesture input is subsequentlyreceived where the position of the long press touch input moves awayfrom and then outside of the selected AR content item, the AR contentitems can again be animated in a rapid cycling manner.

In an embodiment, after the long press touch input is released, userinterface 1250 is provided for display on the client device 102. Asillustrated, user interface 1250 includes AR content item(s) that is a3D scene of the activity corresponding to the previously selected ARcontent item. In an embodiment, the 3D scene of user interface 1250 canbe navigated and moved about based on user inputs received by the clientdevice 102. For example, upon receiving a touch input, a differentportion of the 3D scene can be rendered and displayed on the clientdevice 102.

FIG. 13 illustrates examples of user interfaces, and presenting contentitems generated by an AR content generator in the messaging clientapplication 104 (or the messaging system 100), according to someembodiments.

In the examples of FIG. 13, an AR content generator can provide userinterfaces to display “favorites” (e.g., similar to bookmarks or a savedcollection of activities, places of businesses, and the like that aregrouped according to a particular geolocation) at a travel location orevent, and enable sharing favorites to other users. In the followingdiscussion, user interface 1300 is a first interface of a listing ofsaved travel locations. For each saved travel location, a secondinterface corresponding to user interface 1350 is provided withdifferent activities or locations with images (e.g., thumbnails or smallimages) for selection.

As shown, user interface 1300 includes an content item 1330, whichcorresponds to a selectable graphical item, which is included in alisting of a set of content items. The listing includes selectablegraphical items corresponding to different geolocations, and can besorted by date of creation, in alphabetical order, random order, or someother ordering criterion (e.g., relative score based on prior useractivity indicating an importance metric). User input can select contentitem 1330 (e.g., Paris) or any of the other content items in userinterface 1300, and upon selection can cause another set of contentitems to be displayed on the client device 102. As further shown, animage 1320 (e.g., digital avatar or profile photo) can be includedadjacent or in proximity to a given content item to indicate anotheruser that contributed or has access to the particular content item. Userinterface 1300 also includes content item 1310 that includes informationsuch as a total number of places (e.g., favorites) that the user hasincluded in various content items from the listing of content items inuser interface 1300.

As further shown, user interface 1300 also includes a search interfaceand a selectable graphical item for creating a new grouping of contentitems associated with a particular destination geolocation.

In this example, after selecting content item 1330, user interface 1350is provided for display on the client device 102, which includes agrouping of businesses (or places, or activities, and the likeassociated with a particular destination geolocation) corresponding tothe selected content item 1330 discussed above. In this example, userinterface 1350 includes image 1370 (or AR content item) corresponding toa place of business or activity within a geographical area associatedwith the particular geolocation (e.g., “Paris”) and information 1380which includes a description of the place of business and also otherinformation such as an address and a number of times that the viewinguser has visited the place of business. As further shown, a set ofimages 1360 (e.g., digital avatar or profile photo) are included in userinterface 1350 to indicate various users that have access to content orhave contributed to providing a particular place of businesscorresponding to content item 1330 discussed above. In embodiment,additional users (e.g., users connected to each other in a social graph)can be added to allow access to the grouping of business in userinterface 1350 by selecting selectable graphical item 1365 (“AddFriends”). As further shown, user interface 1350 also includes a searchinterface for searching content items.

In an embodiment, upon receiving a selection of one of the imagescorresponding to a particular place of business of activity, a displayof information is provided for display based on a second geolocation ofthe activity or place of business within the geographical area. Such aselection can be a touch input such as a tap touch input.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1400, according to certainexample embodiments. The method 1400 may be embodied incomputer-readable instructions for execution by one or more computerprocessors such that the operations of the method 1400 may be performedin part or in whole by the messaging client application 104,particularly with respect to respective components of the annotationsystem 206 described above in FIG. 7; accordingly, the method 1400 isdescribed below by way of example with reference thereto. However, itshall be appreciated that at least some of the operations of the method1400 may be deployed on various other hardware configurations and themethod 1400 is not intended to be limited to the messaging clientapplication 104.

At operation 1402, the augmented reality content generator module 714selects a set of augmented reality content generators from a pluralityof available augmented reality content generators, the selected set ofaugmented reality content generators comprising at least one augmentedreality content generator for presenting a three-dimensional (3D) scenebased at least in part on a geolocation.

At operation 1404, the rendering module 710 causes, at a client device,display of a graphical interface comprising a plurality of selectablegraphical items, each selectable graphical item corresponding to arespective augmented reality content generator of the set of augmentedreality content generators.

At operation 1406, AR content generator module 714 receives, at theclient device, a selection of a first selectable graphical item from theplurality of selectable graphical items, the first selectable graphicalitem comprising a first augmented reality content generatorcorresponding to a particular geolocation.

At operation 1408, the rendering module 710 causes display, at theclient device, at least one augmented content reality item generated bythe first augmented reality content generator, the at least oneaugmented content reality item comprising the 3D scene based at least inpart on the particular geolocation.

At operation 1410, the rendering module 710 causes display, at a secondclient device, the at least one augmented content reality item generatedby the first augmented reality content generator, the at least oneaugmented content reality item comprising the 3D scene based at least inpart on the particular geolocation.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1500, according to certainexample embodiments. The method 1500 may be embodied incomputer-readable instructions for execution by one or more computerprocessors such that the operations of the method 1500 may be performedin part or in whole by the messaging client application 104,particularly with respect to respective components of the annotationsystem 206 described above in FIG. 7; accordingly, the method 1500 isdescribed below by way of example with reference thereto. However, itshall be appreciated that at least some of the operations of the method1500 may be deployed on various other hardware configurations and themethod 1500 is not intended to be limited to the messaging clientapplication 104.

At operation 1502, the augmented reality content generator module 714receives, at a client device, a selection of a first selectablegraphical item, the first selectable graphical item comprising a firstaugmented reality content generator.

At operation 1504, the rendering module 710 causes display, at theclient device, a set of augmented reality content items generated by thefirst augmented reality content generator, each of the set of augmentedreality content items including a particular augmented reality contentitem corresponding to a destination geolocation different than a currentgeolocation.

At operation 1506, the augmented reality content generator module 714receives, at the client device, a second selection of the particularaugmented reality content item corresponding to the destinationgeolocation.

At operation 1508, the rendering module 710 causes display, at theclient device, a second set of augmented reality content items generatedby the first augmented reality content generator, the second set ofaugmented reality content items comprising a scheduling tool, thescheduling tool comprising an visual arrangement of particular datesorganized over a period of time including the particular dates.

At operation 1510, the augmented reality content generator module 714receives, at the client device, a second selection of the second set ofaugmented reality content items, the second selection corresponding to aselected period of time.

At operation 1512, the rendering module 710 causes display, at theclient device, a third set of augmented reality content items generatedby the first augmented reality content generator, the third set ofaugmented reality content items comprising at least one activity orlocation associated with the destination geolocation and the selectedperiod of time.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1600, according to certainexample embodiments. The method 1600 may be embodied incomputer-readable instructions for execution by one or more computerprocessors such that the operations of the method 1600 may be performedin part or in whole by the messaging client application 104,particularly with respect to respective components of the annotationsystem 206 described above in FIG. 7; accordingly, the method 1600 isdescribed below by way of example with reference thereto. However, itshall be appreciated that at least some of the operations of the method1600 may be deployed on various other hardware configurations and themethod 1600 is not intended to be limited to the messaging clientapplication 104.

At operation 1602, the augmented reality content generator module 714receives, at a client device, a selection of a first selectablegraphical item, the first selectable graphical item comprising a firstaugmented reality content generator corresponding to a particulargeolocation.

At operation 1604, the rendering module 710 causes display, at theclient device, of a graphical interface comprising a plurality ofselectable augmented reality content items, each selectable augmentedreality content item corresponding to a particular activity based at inpart on the particular geolocation.

At operation 1606, the augmented reality content generator module 714receives, at the client device, a second selection of a particularselectable augmented reality content item from the plurality ofselectable augmented reality content items.

At operation 1608, the rendering module 710 causing display, at theclient device, at least one second augmented reality content itemgenerated by the first augmented reality content generator, the at leastone second augmented content item comprising a three-dimensional (3D)scene based at least in part on the particular geolocation.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a method 1700, according to certainexample embodiments. The method 1700 may be embodied incomputer-readable instructions for execution by one or more computerprocessors such that the operations of the method 1700 may be performedin part or in whole by the messaging client application 104,particularly with respect to respective components of the annotationsystem 206 described above in FIG. 7; accordingly, the method 1700 isdescribed below by way of example with reference thereto. However, itshall be appreciated that at least some of the operations of the method1700 may be deployed on various other hardware configurations and themethod 1700 is not intended to be limited to the messaging clientapplication 104.

At operation 1702, the rendering module 710 causes, at a client device,display of a graphical interface comprising a plurality of selectablegraphical items, each selectable graphical item corresponding to arespective content item associated with a different geolocation.

At operation 1704, the augmented reality content generator module 714receives, at the client device, a selection of a first selectablegraphical item from the plurality of selectable graphical items, thefirst selectable graphical item corresponding to a particulargeolocation.

At operation 1706, the rendering module 710 causes display, at theclient device, a second plurality of selectable graphical items, each ofthe second plurality of selectable graphical items corresponding to aparticular second geolocation of an activity or place of business withina geographical area associated with the particular geolocation.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating an example software architecture1806, which may be used in conjunction with various hardwarearchitectures herein described. FIG. 18 is a non-limiting example of asoftware architecture and it will be appreciated that many otherarchitectures may be implemented to facilitate the functionalitydescribed herein. The software architecture 1806 may execute on hardwaresuch as machine 1900 of FIG. 19 that includes, among other things,processors 1904, memory 1914, and (input/output) I/O components 1918. Arepresentative hardware layer 1852 is illustrated and can represent, forexample, the machine 1900 of FIG. 19. The representative hardware layer1852 includes a processing unit 1854 having associated executableinstructions 1804. Executable instructions 1804 represent the executableinstructions of the software architecture 1806, including implementationof the methods, components, and so forth described herein. The hardwarelayer 1852 also includes memory and/or storage modules memory/storage1856, which also have executable instructions 1804. The hardware layer1852 may also comprise other hardware 1858.

In the example architecture of FIG. 18, the software architecture 1806may be conceptualized as a stack of layers where each layer providesparticular functionality. For example, the software architecture 1806may include layers such as an operating system 1802, libraries 1820,frameworks/middleware 1818, applications 1816, and a presentation layer1814. Operationally, the applications 1816 and/or other componentswithin the layers may invoke API calls 1808 through the software stackand receive a response as in messages 1812 to the API calls 1808. Thelayers illustrated are representative in nature and not all softwarearchitectures have all layers. For example, some mobile or specialpurpose operating systems may not provide a frameworks/middleware 1818,while others may provide such a layer. Other software architectures mayinclude additional or different layers.

The operating system 1802 may manage hardware resources and providecommon services. The operating system 1802 may include, for example, akernel 1822, services 1824, and drivers 1826. The kernel 1822 may act asan abstraction layer between the hardware and the other software layers.For example, the kernel 1822 may be responsible for memory management,processor management (e.g., scheduling), component management,networking, security settings, and so on. The services 1824 may provideother common services for the other software layers. The drivers 1826are responsible for controlling or interfacing with the underlyinghardware. For instance, the drivers 1826 include display drivers, cameradrivers, Bluetooth® drivers, flash memory drivers, serial communicationdrivers (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB) drivers), Wi-Fi® drivers,audio drivers, power management drivers, and so forth depending on thehardware configuration.

The libraries 1820 provide a common infrastructure that is used by theapplications 1816 and/or other components and/or layers. The libraries1820 provide functionality that allows other software components toperform tasks in an easier fashion than to interface directly with theunderlying operating system 1802 functionality (e.g., kernel 1822,services 1824 and/or drivers 1826). The libraries 1820 may includesystem libraries 1844 (e.g., C standard library) that may providefunctions such as memory allocation functions, string manipulationfunctions, mathematical functions, and the like. In addition, thelibraries 1820 may include API libraries 1846 such as media libraries(e.g., libraries to support presentation and manipulation of variousmedia format such as MPREG4, H.264, MP3, AAC, AMR, JPG, PNG), graphicslibraries (e.g., an OpenGL framework that may be used to render 2D and3D in a graphic content on a display), database libraries (e.g., SQLitethat may provide various relational database functions), web libraries(e.g., WebKit that may provide web browsing functionality), and thelike. The libraries 1820 may also include a wide variety of otherlibraries 1848 to provide many other APIs to the applications 1816 andother software components/modules.

The frameworks/middleware 1818 (also sometimes referred to asmiddleware) provide a higher-level common infrastructure that may beused by the applications 1816 and/or other software components/modules.For example, the frameworks/middleware 1818 may provide various graphicuser interface (GUI) functions, high-level resource management,high-level location services, and so forth. The frameworks/middleware1818 may provide a broad spectrum of other APIs that may be used by theapplications 1816 and/or other software components/modules, some ofwhich may be specific to a particular operating system 1802 or platform.

The applications 1816 include built-in applications 1838 and/orthird-party applications 1840. Examples of representative built-inapplications 1838 may include, but are not limited to, a contactsapplication, a browser application, a book reader application, alocation application, a media application, a messaging application,and/or a game application. Third-party applications 1840 may include anapplication developed using the ANDROID™ or IOS™ software developmentkit (SDK) by an entity other than the vendor of the particular platform,and may be mobile software running on a mobile operating system such asIOS™, ANDROID™, WINDOWS® Phone, or other mobile operating systems. Thethird-party applications 1840 may invoke the API calls 1808 provided bythe mobile operating system (such as operating system 1802) tofacilitate functionality described herein.

The applications 1816 may use built in operating system functions (e.g.,kernel 1822, services 1824 and/or drivers 1826), libraries 1820, andframeworks/middleware 1818 to create user interfaces to interact withusers of the system. Alternatively, or additionally, in some systemsinteractions with a user may occur through a presentation layer, such aspresentation layer 1814. In these systems, the application/component‘logic’ can be separated from the aspects of the application/componentthat interact with a user.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating components of a machine 1900,according to some example embodiments, able to read instructions from amachine-readable medium (e.g., a machine-readable storage medium) andperform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.Specifically, FIG. 19 shows a diagrammatic representation of the machine1900 in the example form of a computer system, within which instructions1910 (e.g., software, a program, an application, an applet, an app, orother executable code) for causing the machine 1900 to perform any oneor more of the methodologies discussed herein may be executed. As such,the instructions 1910 may be used to implement modules or componentsdescribed herein. The instructions 1910 transform the general,non-programmed machine 1900 into a particular machine 1900 programmed tocarry out the described and illustrated functions in the mannerdescribed. In alternative embodiments, the machine 1900 operates as astandalone device or may be coupled (e.g., networked) to other machines.In a networked deployment, the machine 1900 may operate in the capacityof a server machine or a client machine in a server-client networkenvironment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed)network environment. The machine 1900 may comprise, but not be limitedto, a server computer, a client computer, a personal computer (PC), atablet computer, a laptop computer, a netbook, a set-top box (STB), apersonal digital assistant (PDA), an entertainment media system, acellular telephone, a smart phone, a mobile device, a wearable device(e.g., a smart watch), a smart home device (e.g., a smart appliance),other smart devices, a web appliance, a network router, a networkswitch, a network bridge, or any machine capable of executing theinstructions 1910, sequentially or otherwise, that specify actions to betaken by machine 1900. Further, while only a single machine 1900 isillustrated, the term ‘machine’ shall also be taken to include acollection of machines that individually or jointly execute theinstructions 1910 to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

The machine 1900 may include processors 1904, including processor 1908to processor 1912, memory/storage 1906, and I/O components 1918, whichmay be configured to communicate with each other such as via a bus 1902.The memory/storage 1906 may include a memory 1914, such as a mainmemory, or other memory storage, and a storage unit 1916, bothaccessible to the processors 1904 such as via the bus 1902. The storageunit 1916 and memory 1914 store the instructions 1910 embodying any oneor more of the methodologies or functions described herein. Theinstructions 1910 may also reside, completely or partially, within thememory 1914, within the storage unit 1916, within at least one of theprocessors 1904 (e.g., within the processor's cache memory), or anysuitable combination thereof, during execution thereof by the machine1900. Accordingly, the memory 1914, the storage unit 1916, and thememory of processors 1904 are examples of machine-readable media.

The I/O components 1918 may include a wide variety of components toreceive input, provide output, produce output, transmit information,exchange information, capture measurements, and so on. The specific I/Ocomponents 1918 that are included in a particular machine 1900 willdepend on the type of machine. For example, portable machines such asmobile phones will likely include a touch input device or other suchinput mechanisms, while a headless server machine will likely notinclude such a touch input device. It will be appreciated that the I/Ocomponents 1918 may include many other components that are not shown inFIG. 19. The I/O components 1918 are grouped according to functionalitymerely for simplifying the following discussion and the grouping is inno way limiting. In various example embodiments, the I/O components 1918may include output components 1926 and input components 1928. The outputcomponents 1926 may include visual components (e.g., a display such as aplasma display panel (PDP), a light emitting diode (LED) display, aliquid crystal display (LCD), a projector, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)),acoustic components (e.g., speakers), haptic components (e.g., avibratory motor, resistance mechanisms), other signal generators, and soforth. The input components 1928 may include alphanumeric inputcomponents (e.g., a keyboard, a touch screen configured to receivealphanumeric input, a photo-optical keyboard, or other alphanumericinput components), point based input components (e.g., a mouse, atouchpad, a trackball, a joystick, a motion sensor, or other pointinginstrument), tactile input components (e.g., a physical button, a touchscreen that provides location and/or force of touches or touch gestures,or other tactile input components), audio input components (e.g., amicrophone), and the like.

In further example embodiments, the I/O components 1918 may includebiometric components 1930, motion components 1934, environmentalcomponents 1936, or position components 1938 among a wide array of othercomponents. For example, the biometric components 1930 may includecomponents to detect expressions (e.g., hand expressions, facialexpressions, vocal expressions, body gestures, or eye tracking), measurebiosignals (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature,perspiration, or brain waves), identify a person (e.g., voiceidentification, retinal identification, facial identification,fingerprint identification, or electroencephalogram basedidentification), and the like. The motion components 1934 may includeacceleration sensor components (e.g., accelerometer), gravitation sensorcomponents, rotation sensor components (e.g., gyroscope), and so forth.The environmental components 1936 may include, for example, illuminationsensor components (e.g., photometer), temperature sensor components(e.g., one or more thermometer that detect ambient temperature),humidity sensor components, pressure sensor components (e.g.,barometer), acoustic sensor components (e.g., one or more microphonesthat detect background noise), proximity sensor components (e.g.,infrared sensors that detect nearby objects), gas sensors (e.g., gasdetection sensors to detection concentrations of hazardous gases forsafety or to measure pollutants in the atmosphere), or other componentsthat may provide indications, measurements, or signals corresponding toa surrounding physical environment. The position components 1938 mayinclude location sensor components (e.g., a GPS receiver component),altitude sensor components (e.g., altimeters or barometers that detectair pressure from which altitude may be derived), orientation sensorcomponents (e.g., magnetometers), and the like.

Communication may be implemented using a wide variety of technologies.The I/O components 1918 may include communication components 1940operable to couple the machine 1900 to a network 1932 or devices 1920via coupling 1924 and coupling 1922, respectively. For example, thecommunication components 1940 may include a network interface componentor other suitable device to interface with the network 1932. In furtherexamples, communication components 1940 may include wired communicationcomponents, wireless communication components, cellular communicationcomponents, Near Field Communication (NFC) components, Bluetooth®components (e.g., Bluetooth® Low Energy), Wi-Fi® components, and othercommunication components to provide communication via other modalities.The devices 1920 may be another machine or any of a wide variety ofperipheral devices (e.g., a peripheral device coupled via a USB).

Moreover, the communication components 1940 may detect identifiers orinclude components operable to detect identifiers. For example, thecommunication components 1940 may include Radio Frequency Identification(RFID) tag reader components, NFC smart tag detection components,optical reader components (e.g., an optical sensor to detectone-dimensional bar codes such as Universal Product Code (UPC) bar code,multi-dimensional bar codes such as Quick Response (QR) code, Azteccode, Data Matrix, Dataglyph, MaxiCode, PDF417, Ultra Code, UCC RSS-2Dbar code, and other optical codes), or acoustic detection components(e.g., microphones to identify tagged audio signals). In addition, avariety of information may be derived via the communication components1940, such as, location via Internet Protocol (IP) geo-location,location via Wi-Fi® signal triangulation, location via detecting a NFCbeacon signal that may indicate a particular location, and so forth.

The following discussion relates to various terms or phrases that arementioned throughout the subject disclosure.

‘Signal Medium’ refers to any intangible medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding, or carrying the instructions for execution by amachine and includes digital or analog communications signals or otherintangible media to facilitate communication of software or data. Theterm ‘signal medium’ shall be taken to include any form of a modulateddata signal, carrier wave, and so forth. The term ‘modulated datasignal’ means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics setor changed in such a matter as to encode information in the signal. Theterms ‘transmission medium’ and ‘signal medium’ mean the same thing andmay be used interchangeably in this disclosure.

‘Communication Network’ refers to one or more portions of a network thatmay be an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual privatenetwork (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a widearea network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a metropolitan area network(MAN), the Internet, a portion of the Internet, a portion of the PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN), a plain old telephone service (POTS)network, a cellular telephone network, a wireless network, a Wi-Fi®network, another type of network, or a combination of two or more suchnetworks. For example, a network or a portion of a network may include awireless or cellular network and the coupling may be a Code DivisionMultiple Access (CDMA) connection, a Global System for Mobilecommunications (GSM) connection, or other types of cellular or wirelesscoupling. In this example, the coupling may implement any of a varietyof types of data transfer technology, such as Single Carrier RadioTransmission Technology (1×RTT), Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO)technology, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technology, EnhancedData rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) technology, third GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP) including 3G, fourth generation wireless (4G)networks, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High SpeedPacket Access (HSPA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access(WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard, others defined by variousstandard-setting organizations, other long-range protocols, or otherdata transfer technology.

‘Processor’ refers to any circuit or virtual circuit (a physical circuitemulated by logic executing on an actual processor) that manipulatesdata values according to control signals (e.g., ‘commands’, ‘op codes’,‘machine code’, etc.) and which produces corresponding output signalsthat are applied to operate a machine. A processor may, for example, bea Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Reduced Instruction Set Computing(RISC) processor, a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) processor,a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), anApplication Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Radio-FrequencyIntegrated Circuit (RFIC) or any combination thereof. A processor mayfurther be a multi-core processor having two or more independentprocessors (sometimes referred to as ‘cores’) that may executeinstructions contemporaneously.

‘Machine-Storage Medium’ refers to a single or multiple storage devicesand/or media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/orassociated caches and servers) that store executable instructions,routines and/or data. The term shall accordingly be taken to include,but not be limited to, solid-state memories, and optical and magneticmedia, including memory internal or external to processors. Specificexamples of machine-storage media, computer-storage media and/ordevice-storage media include non-volatile memory, including by way ofexample semiconductor memory devices, e.g., erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EEPROM), FPGA, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such asinternal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; andCD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks The terms ‘machine-storage medium,’‘device-storage medium,’ ‘computer-storage medium’ mean the same thingand may be used interchangeably in this disclosure. The terms‘machine-storage media,’ ‘computer-storage media,’ and ‘device-storagemedia’ specifically exclude carrier waves, modulated data signals, andother such media, at least some of which are covered under the term‘signal medium.’

‘Component’ refers to a device, physical entity, or logic havingboundaries defined by function or subroutine calls, branch points, APIs,or other technologies that provide for the partitioning ormodularization of particular processing or control functions. Componentsmay be combined via their interfaces with other components to carry outa machine process. A component may be a packaged functional hardwareunit designed for use with other components and a part of a program thatusually performs a particular function of related functions. Componentsmay constitute either software components (e.g., code embodied on amachine-readable medium) or hardware components. A ‘hardware component’is a tangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may beconfigured or arranged in a certain physical manner. In various exampleembodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone computersystem, a client computer system, or a server computer system) or one ormore hardware components of a computer system (e.g., a processor or agroup of processors) may be configured by software (e.g., an applicationor application portion) as a hardware component that operates to performcertain operations as described herein. A hardware component may also beimplemented mechanically, electronically, or any suitable combinationthereof. For example, a hardware component may include dedicatedcircuitry or logic that is permanently configured to perform certainoperations. A hardware component may be a special-purpose processor,such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC). A hardware component may alsoinclude programmable logic or circuitry that is temporarily configuredby software to perform certain operations. For example, a hardwarecomponent may include software executed by a general-purpose processoror other programmable processor. Once configured by such software,hardware components become specific machines (or specific components ofa machine) uniquely tailored to perform the configured functions and areno longer general-purpose processors. It will be appreciated that thedecision to implement a hardware component mechanically, in dedicatedand permanently configured circuitry, or in temporarily configuredcircuitry (e.g., configured by software), may be driven by cost and timeconsiderations. Accordingly, the phrase ‘hardware component’ (or‘hardware-implemented component’) should be understood to encompass atangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed,permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily configured(e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or to perform certainoperations described herein. Considering embodiments in which hardwarecomponents are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of thehardware components need not be configured or instantiated at any oneinstance in time. For example, where a hardware component comprises ageneral-purpose processor configured by software to become aspecial-purpose processor, the general-purpose processor may beconfigured as respectively different special-purpose processors (e.g.,comprising different hardware components) at different times. Softwareaccordingly configures a particular processor or processors, forexample, to constitute a particular hardware component at one instanceof time and to constitute a different hardware component at a differentinstance of time. Hardware components can provide information to, andreceive information from, other hardware components. Accordingly, thedescribed hardware components may be regarded as being communicativelycoupled. Where multiple hardware components exist contemporaneously,communications may be achieved through signal transmission (e.g., overappropriate circuits and buses) between or among two or more of thehardware components. In embodiments in which multiple hardwarecomponents are configured or instantiated at different times,communications between such hardware components may be achieved, forexample, through the storage and retrieval of information in memorystructures to which the multiple hardware components have access. Forexample, one hardware component may perform an operation and store theoutput of that operation in a memory device to which it iscommunicatively coupled. A further hardware component may then, at alater time, access the memory device to retrieve and process the storedoutput. Hardware components may also initiate communications with inputor output devices, and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection ofinformation). The various operations of example methods described hereinmay be performed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implementedcomponents that operate to perform one or more operations or functionsdescribed herein. As used herein, ‘processor-implemented component’refers to a hardware component implemented using one or more processors.Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partiallyprocessor-implemented, with a particular processor or processors beingan example of hardware. For example, at least some of the operations ofa method may be performed by one or more processors orprocessor-implemented components. Moreover, the one or more processorsmay also operate to support performance of the relevant operations in a‘cloud computing’ environment or as a ‘software as a service’ (SaaS).For example, at least some of the operations may be performed by a groupof computers (as examples of machines including processors), with theseoperations being accessible via a network (e.g., the Internet) and viaone or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., an API). The performance ofcertain of the operations may be distributed among the processors, notonly residing within a single machine, but deployed across a number ofmachines. In some example embodiments, the processors orprocessor-implemented components may be located in a single geographiclocation (e.g., within a home environment, an office environment, or aserver farm). In other example embodiments, the processors orprocessor-implemented components may be distributed across a number ofgeographic locations.

‘Carrier Signal’ refers to any intangible medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by themachine, and includes digital or analog communications signals or otherintangible media to facilitate communication of such instructions.Instructions may be transmitted or received over a network using atransmission medium via a network interface device.

‘Computer-Readable Medium’ refers to both machine-storage media andtransmission media. Thus, the terms include both storage devices/mediaand carrier waves/modulated data signals. The terms ‘machine-readablemedium,’ ‘computer-readable medium’ and ‘device-readable medium’ meanthe same thing and may be used interchangeably in this disclosure.

‘Client Device’ refers to any machine that interfaces to acommunications network to obtain resources from one or more serversystems or other client devices. A client device may be, but is notlimited to, a mobile phone, desktop computer, laptop, portable digitalassistants (PDAs), smartphones, tablets, ultrabooks, netbooks, laptops,multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumerelectronics, game consoles, set-top boxes, or any other communicationdevice that a user may use to access a network. In the subjectdisclosure, a client device is also referred to as an ‘electronicdevice.’

‘Ephemeral Message’ refers to a message that is accessible for atime-limited duration. An ephemeral message may be a text, an image, avideo and the like. The access time for the ephemeral message may be setby the message sender. Alternatively, the access time may be a defaultsetting or a setting specified by the recipient. Regardless of thesetting technique, the message is transitory.

‘Signal Medium’ refers to any intangible medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding, or carrying the instructions for execution by amachine and includes digital or analog communications signals or otherintangible media to facilitate communication of software or data. Theterm ‘signal medium’ shall be taken to include any form of a modulateddata signal, carrier wave, and so forth. The term ‘modulated datasignal’ means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics setor changed in such a matter as to encode information in the signal. Theterms ‘transmission medium’ and ‘signal medium’ mean the same thing andmay be used interchangeably in this disclosure.

‘Communication Network’ refers to one or more portions of a network thatmay be an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a virtual privatenetwork (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN (WLAN), a widearea network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a metropolitan area network(MAN), the Internet, a portion of the Internet, a portion of the PublicSwitched Telephone Network (PSTN), a plain old telephone service (POTS)network, a cellular telephone network, a wireless network, a Wi-Fi®network, another type of network, or a combination of two or more suchnetworks. For example, a network or a portion of a network may include awireless or cellular network and the coupling may be a Code DivisionMultiple Access (CDMA) connection, a Global System for Mobilecommunications (GSM) connection, or other types of cellular or wirelesscoupling. In this example, the coupling may implement any of a varietyof types of data transfer technology, such as Single Carrier RadioTransmission Technology (1×RTT), Evolution-Data Optimized (EVDO)technology, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technology, EnhancedData rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) technology, third GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP) including 3G, fourth generation wireless (4G)networks, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High SpeedPacket Access (HSPA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access(WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard, others defined by variousstandard-setting organizations, other long-range protocols, or otherdata transfer technology.

‘Processor’ refers to any circuit or virtual circuit (a physical circuitemulated by logic executing on an actual processor) that manipulatesdata values according to control signals (e.g., ‘commands’, ‘op codes’,‘machine code’, etc.) and which produces corresponding output signalsthat are applied to operate a machine. A processor may, for example, bea Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Reduced Instruction Set Computing(RISC) processor, a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) processor,a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), anApplication Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Radio-FrequencyIntegrated Circuit (RFIC) or any combination thereof. A processor mayfurther be a multi-core processor having two or more independentprocessors (sometimes referred to as ‘cores’) that may executeinstructions contemporaneously.

‘Machine-Storage Medium’ refers to a single or multiple storage devicesand/or media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/orassociated caches and servers) that store executable instructions,routines and/or data. The term shall accordingly be taken to include,but not be limited to, solid-state memories, and optical and magneticmedia, including memory internal or external to processors. Specificexamples of machine-storage media, computer-storage media and/ordevice-storage media include non-volatile memory, including by way ofexample semiconductor memory devices, e.g., erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EEPROM), FPGA, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such asinternal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; andCD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks The terms ‘machine-storage medium,’‘device-storage medium,’ ‘computer-storage medium’ mean the same thingand may be used interchangeably in this disclosure. The terms‘machine-storage media,’ ‘computer-storage media,’ and ‘device-storagemedia’ specifically exclude carrier waves, modulated data signals, andother such media, at least some of which are covered under the term‘signal medium.’

‘Component’ refers to a device, physical entity, or logic havingboundaries defined by function or subroutine calls, branch points, APIs,or other technologies that provide for the partitioning ormodularization of particular processing or control functions. Componentsmay be combined via their interfaces with other components to carry outa machine process. A component may be a packaged functional hardwareunit designed for use with other components and a part of a program thatusually performs a particular function of related functions. Componentsmay constitute either software components (e.g., code embodied on amachine-readable medium) or hardware components. A ‘hardware component’is a tangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may beconfigured or arranged in a certain physical manner. In various exampleembodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone computersystem, a client computer system, or a server computer system) or one ormore hardware components of a computer system (e.g., a processor or agroup of processors) may be configured by software (e.g., an applicationor application portion) as a hardware component that operates to performcertain operations as described herein. A hardware component may also beimplemented mechanically, electronically, or any suitable combinationthereof. For example, a hardware component may include dedicatedcircuitry or logic that is permanently configured to perform certainoperations. A hardware component may be a special-purpose processor,such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC). A hardware component may alsoinclude programmable logic or circuitry that is temporarily configuredby software to perform certain operations. For example, a hardwarecomponent may include software executed by a general-purpose processoror other programmable processor. Once configured by such software,hardware components become specific machines (or specific components ofa machine) uniquely tailored to perform the configured functions and areno longer general-purpose processors. It will be appreciated that thedecision to implement a hardware component mechanically, in dedicatedand permanently configured circuitry, or in temporarily configuredcircuitry (e.g., configured by software), may be driven by cost and timeconsiderations. Accordingly, the phrase ‘hardware component’ (or‘hardware-implemented component’) should be understood to encompass atangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed,permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily configured(e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or to perform certainoperations described herein. Considering embodiments in which hardwarecomponents are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of thehardware components need not be configured or instantiated at any oneinstance in time. For example, where a hardware component comprises ageneral-purpose processor configured by software to become aspecial-purpose processor, the general-purpose processor may beconfigured as respectively different special-purpose processors (e.g.,comprising different hardware components) at different times. Softwareaccordingly configures a particular processor or processors, forexample, to constitute a particular hardware component at one instanceof time and to constitute a different hardware component at a differentinstance of time. Hardware components can provide information to, andreceive information from, other hardware components. Accordingly, thedescribed hardware components may be regarded as being communicativelycoupled. Where multiple hardware components exist contemporaneously,communications may be achieved through signal transmission (e.g., overappropriate circuits and buses) between or among two or more of thehardware components. In embodiments in which multiple hardwarecomponents are configured or instantiated at different times,communications between such hardware components may be achieved, forexample, through the storage and retrieval of information in memorystructures to which the multiple hardware components have access. Forexample, one hardware component may perform an operation and store theoutput of that operation in a memory device to which it iscommunicatively coupled. A further hardware component may then, at alater time, access the memory device to retrieve and process the storedoutput. Hardware components may also initiate communications with inputor output devices, and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection ofinformation). The various operations of example methods described hereinmay be performed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implementedcomponents that operate to perform one or more operations or functionsdescribed herein. As used herein, ‘processor-implemented component’refers to a hardware component implemented using one or more processors.Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partiallyprocessor-implemented, with a particular processor or processors beingan example of hardware. For example, at least some of the operations ofa method may be performed by one or more processors orprocessor-implemented components. Moreover, the one or more processorsmay also operate to support performance of the relevant operations in a‘cloud computing’ environment or as a ‘software as a service’ (SaaS).For example, at least some of the operations may be performed by a groupof computers (as examples of machines including processors), with theseoperations being accessible via a network (e.g., the Internet) and viaone or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., an API). The performance ofcertain of the operations may be distributed among the processors, notonly residing within a single machine, but deployed across a number ofmachines. In some example embodiments, the processors orprocessor-implemented components may be located in a single geographiclocation (e.g., within a home environment, an office environment, or aserver farm). In other example embodiments, the processors orprocessor-implemented components may be distributed across a number ofgeographic locations.

‘Carrier Signal’ refers to any intangible medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding, or carrying instructions for execution by themachine, and includes digital or analog communications signals or otherintangible media to facilitate communication of such instructions.Instructions may be transmitted or received over a network using atransmission medium via a network interface device.

‘Computer-Readable Medium’ refers to both machine-storage media andtransmission media. Thus, the terms include both storage devices/mediaand carrier waves/modulated data signals. The terms ‘machine-readablemedium,’ ‘computer-readable medium’ and ‘device-readable medium’ meanthe same thing and may be used interchangeably in this disclosure.

‘Client Device’ refers to any machine that interfaces to acommunications network to obtain resources from one or more serversystems or other client devices. A client device may be, but is notlimited to, a mobile phone, desktop computer, laptop, portable digitalassistants (PDAs), smartphones, tablets, ultrabooks, netbooks, laptops,multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumerelectronics, game consoles, set-top boxes, or any other communicationdevice that a user may use to access a network.

‘Ephemeral Message’ refers to a message that is accessible for atime-limited duration. An ephemeral message may be a text, an image, avideo and the like. The access time for the ephemeral message may be setby the message sender. Alternatively, the access time may be a defaultsetting or a setting specified by the recipient. Regardless of thesetting technique, the message is transitory.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: causing, at a clientdevice, display of a graphical interface comprising a plurality ofselectable graphical items, each selectable graphical item correspondingto a respective content item associated with a different geolocation;receiving, at the client device, a selection of a first selectablegraphical item from the plurality of selectable graphical items, thefirst selectable graphical item corresponding to a particulargeolocation; and causing display, at the client device, a secondplurality of selectable graphical items, each of the second plurality ofselectable graphical items corresponding to a particular secondgeolocation of an activity or place of business within a geographicalarea associated with the particular geolocation.
 2. The method of claim1, further comprising: receiving a selection of one of the secondplurality of selectable graphical items; and in response to receivingthe selection, causing display of information based on the particularsecond geolocation of the activity or place of business within thegeographical area.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the selectioncomprises a tap touch input.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein theplurality of selectable graphical items comprises a listing of graphicalitems indicating different destination geolocations.
 5. The method ofclaim 4, wherein the listing of graphical items is displayed in an orderbased on a relative score, the relative score based on prior useractivity indicating an importance metric.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the plurality of selectable graphical items further comprises aprofile photo or digital avatar displayed in proximity to at least oneof the selectable graphical items.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein theplurality of selectable graphical items further comprises a searchinterface.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the second plurality ofselectable graphical items further includes a particular selectablegraphical item to include additional users.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein the second plurality of selectable graphical items furtherincludes a second search interface.
 10. The method of claim 8, whereinthe additional users are connected to a social graph of a first user,the first user associated with the client device.
 11. A systemcomprising: a processor; and a memory including instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to perform operationscomprising: causing, at a client device, display of a graphicalinterface comprising a plurality of selectable graphical items, eachselectable graphical item corresponding to a respective content itemassociated with a different geolocation; receiving, at the clientdevice, a selection of a first selectable graphical item from theplurality of selectable graphical items, the first selectable graphicalitem corresponding to a particular geolocation; and causing display, atthe client device, a second plurality of selectable graphical items,each of the second plurality of selectable graphical items correspondingto a particular second geolocation of an activity or place of businesswithin a geographical area associated with the particular geolocation.12. The system of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise:receiving a selection of one of the second plurality of selectablegraphical items; and in response to receiving the selection, causingdisplay of information based on the particular second geolocation of theactivity or place of business within the geographical area.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the selection comprises a tap touch input.14. The system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of selectablegraphical items comprises a listing of graphical items indicatingdifferent destination geolocations.
 15. The system of claim 14, whereinthe listing of graphical items is displayed in an order based on arelative score, the relative score based on prior user activityindicating an importance metric.
 16. The system of claim 11, wherein theplurality of selectable graphical items further comprises a profilephoto or digital avatar displayed in proximity to at least one of theselectable graphical items.
 17. The system of claim 15, wherein theplurality of selectable graphical items further comprises a searchinterface.
 18. The system of claim 11, wherein the second plurality ofselectable graphical items further includes a particular selectablegraphical item to include additional users.
 19. The system of claim 18,wherein the second plurality of selectable graphical items furtherincludes a second search interface.
 20. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed bya computing device, cause the computing device to perform operationscomprising: causing, at a client device, display of a graphicalinterface comprising a plurality of selectable graphical items, eachselectable graphical item corresponding to a respective content itemassociated with a different geolocation; receiving, at the clientdevice, a selection of a first selectable graphical item from theplurality of selectable graphical items, the first selectable graphicalitem corresponding to a particular geolocation; and causing display, atthe client device, a second plurality of selectable graphical items,each of the second plurality of selectable graphical items correspondingto a particular second geolocation of an activity or place of businesswithin a geographical area associated with the particular geolocation.